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THOMAS C. RAND. 



A Sketch of Keene^ 

The Gem of The Ashuelot Valley, 

Originally Published in the Granite Monthly for February, J 895, 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

Reminiscences and Sketches of Keene People^ 

Origfinally Published in the New Hampshire Sentinel, 
Over the Signature *'Ash Swamp/' 

THOMAS C. RAND. 



The leading article in this little pamphlet was originally published in the 
Granite Monthly for February, 1895. The series of articles which follow appeared in 
the New Hampshire Sentinel at about the same time, and are republished here at the 
request of friends who wish to preserve them in this form. 

THE AUTHOR. 



1-4-4 



IRespectfuUB DcDicateD to m^ valued frtenD, 

3. TKHbitnes JBarstow, Os, D., 

of mew l^orft Cttij. 



8^^ 



A Sketch of Keene* 



In attempting the task of writing 
a readable article descriptive of one 
of New Hampshire's favored cities, 
the author is compelled to bear in 
mind the fact that the limit of space 
in the publication for which it is pre- 
pared precludes the possibility of giv- 
ing more than a cursory glance at 
its chief features and characteristics 
at the present day, however great the 
temptation to enter into its early his- 
tory and give a detailed account of 
its growth and prosperity from the 
date of its first settlement as a town 
up to the present time. The hard- 
ships endured by the early settlers, 
their successful struggles to maintain 
possession of the granted territory, 
and the subsequent events in the 
town's early history have been so 
often recounted by other writers, and 
are so familiar to the local public, 
that a repetition of the story in this 
connection seems entirely unneces- 
sary and superfluous; therefore the 
Keene of today must be the principal 
theme of this article, with occasional 
allusions to events in the past and to 
former individual citizens who took 
part in them. 



The territory known as Keene for 
more than one hundred and forty 
years was granted by Massachusetts 
as Upper Ashuelot, April 20, 1733, 
but the few settlers who located here 
thus early were soon compelled to 



abandon their homes on account of 
the depredations and hostility of the 
Indians. It was again occupied by 
white settlers in 1750, and incorpo- 
rated as Keene, April 11, 1753, the 
name being given in honor of Sir 
Benjamin Keene. 

The grant embraced a large sec- 
tion of the present town of Sullivan, 
which was set off in 1787, and the 
western portion of what is now the 
town of Roxbury, which latter town 
was incorporated in 1812. The sec- 
tions thus taken from Keene com- 
prised no small fraction of her area, 
yet they were spared ungrudgingly 
and without detriment to the material 
interests of the town beyond a slight 
but temporary diminution in the 
number of inhabitants, and a corre- 
sponding reduction in the amount 
of property on which taxes were as- 
sessed. 

From year to year thereafter the 
town grew in population and wealth, 
although no single year was ever 
marked by any phenomenal growth 
in either of these directions. Wise 
and judicious management of public 
affairs characterized her career up to 
the time of the transition from a town 
to a municipal form of government, 
since when there has been a gradual 
improvement, even In this regard, un- 
til Keene has become one of the best 
governed cities in New Hampshire. 

The city charter was adopted in 
March, 1873, after having been once 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



rejected by the voters, many of whom 
doubted the expediency of the pro- 
posed change. From that time date 
many of the improvements and pub- 
lic conveniences now seen on every 
hand. Previously the town had pro- 
vided a partial supply of water for 
the use of residents of the village, 
but aside from this there were only 
the ordinary furnishings of a well 
governed country town. 

One of the first important measures 
adopted by the city government, and 
one most successfully carried out, 
was the establishment of a sewerage 
system on the Waring plan, which has 
proved of incalculable benefit to the 
people living in the central part of the 
city. The line of sewerage traverses 
all the principal streets and the great- 
er portion of the highways located 
within a radius of a mile from city 
hall. The undertaking seemed a gi- 
gantic one, as it involved a great ex- 
penditure of money and placed a 
heavy debt upon the city. The wis- 
dom of the officials having charge of 
the enterprise has, however, been 
clearly demonstrated in the improved 
condition and enhanced value of all 
real estate along the lines of the 
sewer and in the bettered condition of 
the health of the general public 
throughout the city. 

An additional supply of water was 
the next important matter taken in 
hand by the city government. Rights 
and privileges in a fine body of pure 
water were secured in the town of 
Roxbury, four miles distant, and an 
ample supply of water for domestic 
and fire purposes was provided. A 
commodious stone reservoir was built 
on Beech hill, whence water is dis- 
tributed through nearly all the streets 
in sufficient volume to meet all ordi- 
nary requirements and provide ade- 



quate protection, against fire. The 
cost of this system of water supply 
was quite large, increasing the city 
debt many thousand dollars, yet it 
has proved an excellent investment, 
yielding as it does a large interest on 
the money expended, besides afford- 
ing a water supply to the inhabitants 
of the city proper at a moderate cost 
and amply protecting against confla- 
grations. 

The fire department has also been 
completely remodelled to conform to 
the changed condition of the water 
supply, and the city can boast of as 
fine apparatus and as efficient firemen 
as can be found in any place of its size 
in New England. Commodious build- 
ings have been erected for the housing 
of steamers and other fire apparatus 
as well as for the accommodation of 
members of the department and the 
stabling of the city teams. Indeed, it 
is conceded on all hands that, with an 
abundant supply of water and a well 
equipped fire department, a disastrous 
conflagration is now almost an impos- 
sibility in Keene. 

The improvement of the condition 
of the public roads and streets next 
claimed the attention of the city offi- 
cials, who diligently sought to perfect 
and beautify them. At first much of 
the work in this department was of 
an experimental nature and therefore 
somewhat disappointing. Now, how- 
ever, a successful system is in opera- 
tion which bids fair to give us the 
best roads in the country, while our 
concreted sidewalks and street cross- 
ings are luxuries which no one can 
fail to appreciate. Several of the prin- 
cipal thoroughfares have been macad- 
amized, and a few short sections of 
streets are covered with granite pave- 
ment. The city owns an inexhaustible 
granite quarry, where a steam stone- 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



crusher is employed in preparing ma- 
terial for macadamizing purposes. It 
also owns a steam road-roller, which 
does effective work in the construction 
and repair of highways. The princi- 
pal streets are illuminated at night by 
electric lights, while many of those 
which are travelled less are lighted 
with gas. 

Notwithstanding all these costly im- 
provements, the indebtednness of the 
city is not burdensome, nor is it larger 
than that of most other municipalities 
of its class, while the rate of taxation 
is below that of any other city in the 
state. The total valuation of taxable 
property for the year 1894 was $6,483,- 
668. The rate of taxation is $1.33 per 
$100. These facts are significant, and 
go to prove that our municipal affairs 
are conducted by men of integrity and 
good judgment. The present popula- 
tion is estimated to be in excess of 
8,000. 

The public buildings belonging to 
the city consist principally of a fine 
large block, on the east side of Cen- 
tral square, in which are located the 
city offices, and a hospital building 
near the south end of Main street, 
the latter being a gift to the city from 
Hon. J. H. Elliot, whose liberality and 
public spirit have ever been in keep- 
ing with his masterly judgment in 
financial affairs and his able manage- 
ment of a large estate. His noble gift 
to the city is appreciated by all, and 
his name will be perpetuated as that 
of a generous benefactor and a sym- 
pathizer with unfortunate humanity. 

The city is also in possession of a 
fine site for a library building, situ- 
ated north of and adjoining the city 
hall property. This, too, was a gift 
to the city from Henry O. Coolidge, 
Esq., who, with certain restrictions 
which make it available for a library 



site only, donated the property in the 
expectation that a prior gift from the 
estate of the late John Symonds, Esq., 
for the purpose of erecting a library 
building, would soon enable the auth- 
orities to proceed with the work con- 
templated by Mr. Symonds. The fact 
that unavoidable complications have 
delayed the carrying out of the designs 
of these generous donors should not 
detract from the debt of gratitude 
which the citizens owe them. The day 
is not very far distant, as now appears, . 
when the beautiful library site will be 
occupied by a building of which the 
citizens will feel proud. 

Other valuable real estate owned 
by the city consists of several tracts 
of woodland donated by individuals 
for the purpose of converting them 
into parks for the free use of citizens. 
The principal one of these lots com- 
prises some twenty-two acres of plain 
land, situated a mile and a half west 
of the city hall, and known as " Whee- 
lock Park," taking its name from the 
generous giver, George A. Wheelock, 
Esq., whose efforts to beautify the 
town by planting and preserving 
shade trees have characterized his 
whole life and made him a public 
benefactor. The gift of this property 
was a noble act on the part of Mr. 
Wheelock, who is never more happy 
than when mingling with the pleasure 
parties so often gathered in this park 
on a summer's day. 

Another valuable gift to the city 
consists of eighteen acres of woodland 
situated near Wheelock park, on the 
opposite side of the highway. It was 
conveyed to the city by the late Miss 
Caroline Ingersoll, whose many pub- 
lic and private benefactions are well 
remembered by our citizens. The 
grounds are known as " Ladies' Park." 
They are well adapted to the purpose 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



designed by Miss Ingersoll, and are 
almost daily visited in the summer 
season by picnic parties and individ- 
uals who enjoy outdoor recreation. 

" Dinsmoor Woods," lying half a 
mile north of the parks above men- 
tioned, on both sides of Maple ave- 
nue, consists of eighteen acres of 
heavily wooded land, and to the lib- 
erality and public spirit of Miss Mary 
Dinsmoor and her lady associates is 
the public indebted for the preserva- 
tion and free use of this beautiful 
grove. 

" City Park," coutaining fifteen 
acres, is situated near the reservoir 
on Beech hill, and with the "Children's 
Woods " adjoining, consisting of 
twelve acres of woodland, was secured 
for the perpetual use of the public 
through the wise action of the city 
government and the munificence of 
Caleb T. Buffum, Esq. 

These parks afford a delightful re- 
treat for many a citizen who is unable 
to take extended trips to the moun- 
tains or seashore, and together with 
the beautiful and well kept park in 
Central square, are a priceless boon 
to the whole community. 

There are many other attractive lo- 
calities within the city limits where 
the natural scenery presents the most 
lovely views. Some of these overlook 
the broad plain on which the city is 
built, and give a magnificent view of 
neighboring villages, the Ashuelot 
valley, Monadnock and Ascutney 
mountains, and other objects which 
cannot fail to interest the beholder. 
Such a place is found at the summit 
of Beech hill, where Mr. H. L. Good- 
now has erected an observatory, called 
the " Horatian Tower," and laid out 
the surrounding grounds in a most at- 
tractive manner. It is a lovely spot, 
and is destined to become the favorite 
resort of many Keene people during 



the summer season. Similar sightly 
locations are to be found for a dis- 
tance of more than a mile along the 
summit of this hill, while on the op- 
posite side of the city, two miles dis- 
tant, lofty eminences, which will 
eventually be occupied as summer 
residences, afford fine views of the 
surrounding country. The drives in 
the suburbs of the city are also a very 
attractive feature which visitors as 
well as residents never fail to admire. 
The business centre of Keene al- 
ways presents a neat and tidy appear- 
ance. The various blocks in which 
stores are located are nearly all of 
modern architecture, some of them 
being magnificent in style and of im- 
posing dimensions. Among those of 
recent construction or remodelled on 
modern plans are Bank block. Col- 
ony's block, Bridgman's block, and 
Stone's block, on the east side of the 
square; Clarke's block on the north; 
Lane's block, Gerould's building, and 
the Ashuelot Bank block on the west; 
while below the square we find on the 
east side Cheshire House block, 
Lane's two blocks, and Gurnsey's 
building, the latter to have an addi- 
tion next year equal in size to the 
present structure; on the west side 
below the square we have Elliot's 
building, Buffum's block, Cheshire 
Bank building, Wright's block. Lam- 
son's block, and the Sentinel building. 
All these are first-class buildings, while 
others in their immediate vicinity, al- 
though not so modern in style, are 
substantial and handsome structures. 
Just off the square, on Court street, 
is a fine building, recently erected by 
the First Church society, and occupied 
mainly as a dry goods and jewelry 
store. In these blocks and buildings 
are located most of the retail mer- 
chants, all of whom take pride in 
maintaining neat and attractive estab- 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



lishments. Not a dingy or ill kept 
store can be found here, while some 
of the most elegant stores in the 
state are conspicuous on every hand. 

The county building occupies a fine 
location near the head of the square, 
presenting an imposing appearance. 
A few rods west of it, on Winter 
street, stands the elegant high school 
building; and on Washington street, 
in plain view from the square, is 
found the new jail. All these are of 
modern construction, and each makes 
a fine picture. 

Six church spires are conspicuous 
in the heart of the city, while another, 
as yet incomplete, rises above the fine 
family residences of Washington 
street. The Young Men's Christian 
Association has also just dedicated a 
splendid new building, the first of the 
kind erected in New Hampshire by a 
similar organization. 

Manufacturing establishments are 
quite numerous here. The oldest 
concern of this kind is the Faulkner & 
Colony manufacturing establishment, 
Hon. Horatio Colony, president. This 
firm has been in existence for nearly 
or quite three-quarters of a century. 
It is one of the most reliable manu- 
facturing concerns in the country, and 
the products of its mills (flannels and 
dress goods) have always stood high 
in the market. 

Nims, Whitney & Co. have exten- 
sive manufacturing works on Me- 
chanic street, where they turn out 
doors, sash, and blinds in large quan- 
tities. This, too, is an old establish- 
ment, having been in operation more 
than forty years. 

On the same street, is the manu- 
factory of the Impervious Package 
Company, whose goods find a ready 
market. Hon. A. T. Batchelder is 
president of the company. 

The Keene Glue Company, Osgood 



W. Upham, president, manufacture 
glue in large quantities and of supe- 
rior quality at their works on Court 
street, one mile from the square. 

N. G. Woodbury manufactures 
pails in immense quantities at his 
mill on Washington street. 

Beaver Mills corporation, Hon. J. 
H. Elliot, president, own a valuable 
manufacturing plant, situated a few 
rods east of Main street, near the 
tracks of the Fitchburg and the Bos- 
ton & Maine railroads, where they 
manufacture pails in great quantities, 
and carry on an extensive business in 
lumber sawing, grain grinding, etc., 
besides furnishing steam power for 
numerous small manufacturing estab- 
lishments located in their buildings, 
among which may be mentioned the 
box factories of J. M. Reed and C. M. 
Norwood, both of which turn out fine 
goods in large quantities. 

Fitchburg Railroad repair shops are 
located here, and a large addition to 
their works is soon to be made. The 
present equipment of the shops en- 
ables the company to turn out first- 
class railway machinery, even to the 
production of a complete locomotive. 

J. & F. French's carriage and 
sleigh factory on Church street is an 
old time establishment which has an 
excellent reputation all through New 
England. Its products are the very 
best of the kind in the country. 

T. A. Peart and I. K. Champion, 
under the name of Keene Furniture 
Company, produce a large quantity of 
high grade furniture every year at 
their factory in Beaver Mills. 

The Wilkins Toy Company, Harry 
T. Kingsbury, proprietor, manufac- 
ture mechanical toys in great variety. 
The factory is located on Myrtle 
street. 

The C. B. Lancaster Shoe Company 
employ about a thousand hands at 



8 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



their extensive factory at the foot of 
Dunbar street. The goods raade at 
this establishment are first-class, and 
have a wide reputation for excellence. 

The Humphrey Machine Company 
manufacture a great variety of ma- 
chinery, including the celebrated IXL 
water-wheel, which is known through- 
out the world. John Humphrey is the 
moving spirit in the business, and is 
an inventor of ability. 

Dunn & Salisbury manufacture 
chairs in great variety at their fac- 
tory on Emerald street. 

J. S. Taft & Co. manufacture pot- 
tery ware, and deal largely in crock- 
ery and glass ware at their works on 
Main street. 

George W. Ball's Sons carry on the 
brick-making business on Appleton 
street, where they manufacture this 
building commodity on a large scale. 

Wilkinson & McGregor manufac- 
ture harnesses, saddles, trunks, etc., 
at their factory in rear of their retail 
store on Main street, employing about 
thirty hands. 

Cheshire Chair Company, E. & C. 
E. Joslin and G. W. McDuffee, pro- 
prietors, manufacture chairs of all 
kinds at their factory connected with 
Beaver Mills. 

Elisha F. Lane manufactures brick 
in great quantities on his farm at the 
lower end of Main street. 

The Read Furniture Manufacturing 
company, at South Keene, Charles H. 
Read, president, employs some thirty 
or forty hands in the manufacture of 
various kinds of furniture. 

Several other smaller manufactur- 
ing concerns turn out a variety of 
goods, but those already named com- 
prise the chief enterprises of this kind 
within the city limits. 

The private residences in Keene 
deserving of special mention, because 
of their elegance and modern style of 



architecture, are numerous. The 
broad and finely shaded streets of the 
central portion of the city are lined 
with costly dwellings, generally ap- 
proached through spacious, well kept 
lawns. On West street, between Cen- 
tral square and the river, we find the 
elegant homes of many prominent cit- 
izens, among them thos3 of Gen. S. G. 
Griffin, S. A. Gerould, Esq., Mrs. C. L. 
Kingsbury, Edward Joslin, Esq., Mrs. 

C. S. Faulkner, the Misses Tilden, 
Hon. Horatio Colony, W. S. Briggs, 
Esq., L. J. Brooks, Esq., Hon. C. J. 
Woodward, S. K. Stone, Esq., the 
Misses Colony, G. H. Richards, Esq., 

F. H. Whitcomb, Esq., J. C. Faulkner, 
the Alfred Colony heirs, and others. 

Court street abounds in fine, mod- 
ern style houses, conspicuous among 
which are the residences of Hon. 
A. T. Batchelder, O. G. Dort, Esq., 
Mrs. E. P. Dole, C. E. Joslin, S. W. 
Stone, Hon. R. H. Porter, D. H. Wood- 
ward, Esq., Leonard Boyce, G. D. Har- 
ris, Esq., Mrs. Susan Allen, Mrs. R. M. 
Caldwell, and many others deserving 
special mention did space permit. 

Washington street has many desir- 
able houses, yet the modem style of 
architecture does not so generally 
prevail there as in the streets pre- 
viously mentioned. Some of those of 
recent construction, or remodelled 
within a few years, are owned and 
occupied by the following named per- 
sons: Dr. G. R. Dinsmoor, Mrs. K. C. 
Scott, Mrs. C. Bridgman, F. Petts, 
Hon. Asa Smith, F. L. Sprague, Mrs. 

G. B. Buffum, T. C. Rand, W. G. Hall, 

D. M. Pollard, B. F. Sawyer, H. S. 
Martin, C. W. Morse, L. M. Richards, 
G. O. Wardwell, Charles Wright, 2d. 

Main street, like the avenue last 
mentioned, shows considerable an- 
cient architecture, although many 
handsome residences, modern in style. 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



are found on either side of this hroad 
and magnificent thoroughfare. Nota- 
ble among these are the residences 
of W. S. Hale, Hon. J. H. Elliot, Gen. 
S. S. WilKinson, Mrs. ex-Governor 
Hale, Hon. E. C. Thayer, Hon. Edward 
Gustine, S. O. Gates, Esq., Mrs. J. W. 
Prentiss, Mrs. C. W. Taintor, E. F. 
Lane, Esq., I. J. Dunn, Esq., and 
numerous others. Many fine resi- 
dences are also found on other streets, 
but it is impossible to specify them 
here. 

The religious societies in Keene are 
numerous, and each is in a flourish- 
ing condition. The oldest church 
organization is the First Congrega- 
tional, over which the talented and 
venerated Z. S. Barstow, D. D., pre- 
sided as pastor fifty years. The pres- 
ent pastor is Rev. William G. Poor. 
The house in which this society wor- 
ships stands at the head of Central 
square, and is one of the oldest as 
well as one of the handsomest build- 
ings in town. 

The Baptist church has as its pas- 
tor Rev. A. W. Hand. Their house 
of worship is a substantial and ele- 
gant structure, situated on Court 
street. 

The Methodist Episcopal church 
edifice is located nearly opposite the 
Baptist house of worship, and is 
similar to it in outward appearance. 
The pastor of the church at the pres- 
ent time is Rev. James Cairns, who 
was assigned to Keene for a second 
term at the last annual conference. 

The Second Congregational church 
has as its pastor Rev. G. H. DeBe- 
voise. It has a fine house of wor- 
ship, located on Court street in close 
proximity to the last two mentioned 
above. 

The Unitarian church and society 
are at this time worshiping tempo- 



rarily in the Armory building, pend- 
ing the erection of a handsome church 
edifice on Washington street. The 
building will be completed the pres- 
ent winter. Rev. C. B. Elder is the 
pastor of this church. 

St. James's Episcopal church has a 
fine house of worship on West street. 
It is built of stone, in the English 
style of architecture, and presents a 
fine appearance. Rev. J. C. Ayer, 
Ph. D., is the present rector. 

The Roman Catholic church build- 
ing on Main street is one of the finest 
structures of the kind In the city. 
The society is in charge of Rev. J. R. 
Power, rector, with Rev. D. J. Dunn 
as assistant. A parochial school 
building has been erected in rear of 
the church, where a large number of 
pupils are taught in all branches of 
education usually pursued in like 
institutions. 

Bethany Mission is a religious or- 
ganization with a house of worship 
on Vernon street, where services are 
held regularly, although the society 
has no stated pastor. The church 
was organized mainly through the 
personal efforts of Mr. F." L. Sprague, 
whose contribution of the church 
building, as well as his liberality in 
aiding the maintenance of religious 
services therein, is appreciated by 
many citizens. 

All of these religious societies main- 
tain auxiliary organizations, devoted 
to religious and philanthropic work 
such as is usually performed by simi- 
lar organizations in other places. 

The schools in Keene and the sys- 
tem of education practised by direc- 
tion of the superintendent of schools 
and the board of education merit and 
receive the approbation of every good 
citizen. The high school, under the 
charge of Robert A. Ray, A, M., as 



10 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



head master, aided by an able corps 
of assistants, is of a high grade, and 
is doing a noble work in the interest 
of the youth of our city. The gram- 
mar and other graded schools are 
also excellent, and all are under the 
instruction of competent teachers. 
Thaddeus W. Harris, A. M., Ph. D., 
is the present superintendent of 
schools, while the board of education 
consists of Francis C. Faulkner, Wil- 
ton H. Spalter, Jesse B. Hyland, 
Bertram Ellis, Simon G. Griflah, 
Charles C. Buffum, Gardner C. Hill, 
Fred W. Chase, and Silas M. Dinsmoor. 

Keene maintains a large number 
of orders and institutions, of a public 
as well as private nature, the objects 
of which are generally indicated by 
their titles. Among these may be 
found the several grades of Masonic 
bodies, from the blue lodge to that of 
the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. 
Odd Fellowship also has strong or- 
ganizations in its various branches. 
The social features of these institu- 
tions are very attractive, compelling 
the admiration of all who join them. 

Among the numerous other organ- 
ized bodies which flourish here may 
be mentioned the Ancient Order of 
Hibernians, United Order of the 
Golden Cross, Order of the Pilgrim 
Fathers, Knights of Pythias, Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, Improved 
Order of Red Men, Monadnock Cycle 
club, Grand Army of the Republic, 
Cheshire Pomona Grange, Invalids' 
Home Corporation, Keene Humane 
society, Village Improvement society, 
Keene Natural History society; and 
probably there are other organiza- 
tions of a social or benevolent char- 
acter which the writer does not now 
call to mind. 

In connection with these it may be 
proper to name our military organiza- 
tions, consisting of two of the best 



companies in the state, with head- 
quarters in a spacious armory building 
on Winter street. Also the Keene 
Brass band, which dates its existence 
from 1855, and whose inspiring martial 
strains have enlivened our streets at 
frequent intervals for nearly forty 
years. Beedle's orchestra, too, should 
be named among the institutions of 
which the citizens feel proud, it hav- 
ing few equals in point of musical 
talent in all New England. 

Public and private halls are numer- 
ous here, the large number of socie- 
ties and organizations requiring ex- 
tensive accommodations of this kind. 
Aside from City hall, which has a 
seating capacity of one thousand and 
more, we have Armory hall on Winter 
street. Golden Cross hall in Diphthong 
alley. Grand Army hall in Ball's block. 
Masonic hall in Elliot's block, Odd Fel- 
lows' hall in Cheshire House block, 
the Y. M. C. A. hall on West street, 
Warren's hall on Washington street, 
and a hall in Lane's new building 
which is to be occupied by the Odd 
Fellows when completed. 

Hotels are not numerous in Keene, 
yet we can boast of at least one which 
is commodious and first-class in every 
particular — the Cheshire House, Chas. 
Hartwell proprietor. It is finely situ- 
ated on the corner of Roxbury and 
Main streets, within a few rods of 
the railway station. The other ho- 
tels are respectively the City and 
the Eagle, both under the proprietor- 
ship of Henry Ward, and situated on 
Main street, just below the railway 
station. Good restaurants and excel- 
lent boarding-houses are plentiful, af- 
fording ample accommodations for 
those who prefer them to hotels. 

Keene Driving Park association 
owns a large tract of land adjoining 
Swanzey Factory village on which 
is maintained an excellent half-mile 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



11 



trotting course, which is the scene of 
many interesting racing contests and 
other sports every season. The 
grounds are well fitted up for the ac- 
commodation of the public, and here 
are held the annual fairs of Cheshire 
Grange. 

Travelling facilities are afforded 
the people of Keene through the 
medium of the Fitchburg and the Bos- 
ton & Maine railroads and by means 
of stages connecting with surround- 
ing towns not provided with steam 
transportation. The railroad accom- 
modations are sufficient for the needs 
of the people, and when a new union 
passenger station is built, as is likely 
to be the case in the near future, noth- 
ing but a street electric railway will 
be needed to fully satisfy the demands 
of the travelling public. This latter 
enterprise may take form at an early 
day, the last legislature having grant- 
ed a charter for a road of this kind 
in Keene. 

In the line of amusements, Keene 
is not behind her sister cities in pro- 
viding clean and elevating entertain- 
ments during the theatrical season. 
City hall, converted into a neat opera 
house, only needs a small addition on 
the north end of the building, whereby 
better stage facilities can be obtained, 
to make the place a charming resort 
whenever a deserving entertainment 
is announced to be given there. 
Messrs. Barker & Quinn, the local 
managers of these entertainments, en- 
gage none but first-rate companies, 
and their efforts to please the public 
have been entirely successful in the 
past. Other public entertainments, 
such as lectures, concerts, readings, 
etc., are provided through the enter- 
prise of the Y. M. C. A. managers, who 
are entitled to the thanks of our citi- 
zens for the pleasure thus afforded. 

A fine monument, erected in 1871 



to the memory of soldiers and sailors 
who died in defence of their country, 
stands in the park in Central square. 
It was designed by Martin Millmore, 
the noted Boston sculptor. The cost 
of the monument — about seven thou- 
sand dollars — was defrayed by the 
town, whose citizens are entitled to 
the credit of having been among the 
first in the state to thus honor their 
patriot dead. 

The newspapers of Keene at the 
present time consist of two weeklies — 
the New Hampshire Sentinel and the 
Cheshire Republican — organs, respec- 
tively, of the Republican and Demo- 
cratic parties, and one daily paper, 
the Keene Evening Sentinel. The 
weekly Sentinel is one of the oldest 
newspapers in the country, having 
been established in 1799 by Hon. John 
Prentiss, who was its editor forty- 
eight years and whose energy, public 
spirit, and devotion to the interests 
of this community are matters of local 
history with which most of our citi- 
zens are familiar. The paper is pub- 
lished by the Sentinel Printing Com- 
pany in their elegant new building on 
Main street, and is in a flourishing 
condition. 

The Cheshire Republican, O. L. Col- 
ony, editor and proprietor, dates its 
existence from the early years of the 
present century. It has always been 
a strong advocate of Democratic prin- 
ciples, and for many years its influ- 
ence has been potent in the councils 
of Cheshire County Democracy. 

The Evening Sentinel is owned and 
issued by the Sentinel Printing Com- 
pany. It was started four years ago, 
and has more than met the expecta- 
tions of its owners and of the general 
public. The chief aim of the paper 
is to give the local and general news 
of the day, and in this it is an unqual- 
ified success. The Evening Sentinel 



12 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



is now regarded as one of our perma- 
nent institutions, and gives evidence 
of good management and excellent 
editorial ability. The Sentinel Print- 
ing Company is composed of T. C. 
Rand, president; C. J. Woodward, 
treasurer and business manager; W. 
H. Prentiss, clerk; and Bertram Ellis. 
Both publications issued by this com- 
pany are conducted under the editor- 
ship of Mr. Ellis, with Mr. Prentiss as 
city editor. 

A religious paper called the Chris- 
tian Herald has recently been started 
here under the auspices of the evan- 
gelical churches, whose pastors act as 
its managers and editors. 

Financial affairs, especially banking 
enterprises, engross the attention of 
many Keene people, employing a large 
amount of capital. The oldest bank- 
ing institution in the city is the Chesh- 
ire Natiorial bank, Hon. J. H. Elliot, 
president; Hon. R. H. Porter, cashier. 
It was chartered as a state bank in 
1803, and Daniel Newcomb was its 
first president. Its present capital is 
$200,000. 

The Ashuelot National bank, George 
A. Wheelock, president; H. O. Cool- 
idge, cashier, was originally chartered 
as a state bank, and was incorporated 
in 1833. Its first president was Gov. 
Samuel Dinsmoor, who served in that 
capacity until his death in 1835. Pres- 
ent capital of this institution, $150,000. 

Keene National bank, Edward Jos- 
lin, president; Wallace L. Mason, 
cashier, was also chartered as a state 
bank and organized in 1858, with Ze- 
bina Newell as its first president. Its 
capital is $100,000. 

Citizens' National bank, O. G. Dort, 
president; Arthur L. Wright, cashier, 
was incorporated in 1875. S. D. Os- 
borne was its first president. Capital, 
$100,000. 

Cheshire Provident Institution for 



Savings, Hon. A. T. Batchelder, presi- 
dent; Oscar G. Nims, treasurer, was 
chartered and organized in 1833, and 
is one of the oldest savings banks in 
the state. Its first president was Dr. 
Amos Twitchell, and its first treasurer 
George Tilden, the latter serving in 
that capacity nearly fifty years. 

Keene Five Cents Savings bank, 
Caleb T. Buffum, Esq., president; 
G. A. Litchfield, treasurer, was incor- 
porated in 1868. John H. Fuller was 
its first president, and O. G. Dort its 
first treasurer. 

Keene Guaranty Savings bank, F. 
H. Kingsbury, treasurer, was incor- 
porated in 1883, with a guaranty fund 
of $50,000. Its first and thus far its 
only president was the late Hon. 
James Burnap, and its first treasurer 
was O. G. Dort. 

All of these financial institutions 
have been of great value to the people 
of Keene and Cheshire county, aiding 
materially in the business prosperity 
of the community. 

The people of Keene have been for- 
tunate since the adoption of the city 
charter in their annual election of a 
mayor and other elective officers of 
the city government. The first mayor, 
Hon. Horatio Colony, was and still is 
a prominent business man whose well 
known abilities and honesty of pur- 
pose secured for him a handsome ma- 
jority at the polls, notwithstanding 
the fact that the Democratic party in 
which he was a leader was largely in 
the minority in the city. His adminis- 
tration of affairs at this early date in 
the history of the city was warmly 
approved by the citizens, and he was 
reelected to the office the following 
year. 

Hon. Edward Farrar succeeded Mr. 
Colony in the office of mayor in 1876, 
and was reelected for a second term. 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



13 



Hon. Reuben Stewart was the in- 
cumbent in 1878 and again in 1879. 

Hon. Horatio Kimball was Mr. 
Stewart's successor in 1880. 

Hon. Ira W. Russell served in 1881, 
and was reelected for 1882. 

Hon. Horatio Kimball again filled 
the office in 1883 and 1884. 

Hon. A. T. Batchelder followed in 
1885 and 1886. 

Hon. Asa Smith succeeded Mr. 
Batchelder in 1887, and was elected a 
second time. 

Hon. Herbert B. Viall was mayor 
in 1889, and served two terms. 

Hon. Horatio Kimball occupied the 
office for a fourth term in 1891. 

Hon. Frederic A. Faulkner was 
elected to succeed Mr. Kimball, and 
has just completed a third term, hav- 
ing been twice reelected. 

The present mayor, Hon. George W. 
McDuffee, was elected at the muni- 
cipal election in December, and has 
just begun his first term in that office. 

Each of the incumbents of the may- 
or's office has made an honorable rec- 
ord, evincing an earnest desire to pro- 
mote the interests of the city, and to 
maintain the reputation which Keene 
has so long enjoyed of being one of 
the best governed municipalities in 
the state. 

It would be ungenerous to close this 
brief sketch without at least making 
mention of some noted former citizens 
who contributed to the prosperity of 
Keene, and conferred honors upon the 
town and state as well. A full list of 
such personages would gladly be giv- 
en here, yet a passing notice of the 
more prominent ones must suffice. 

Keene has furnished three govern- 
ors of the state, viz. : Samuel Dins- 
moor, who filled the executive chair 
for three years, from June, 1831; Sam- 
uel Dinsmoor (son of the former), 
from June, 1849, to June, 1852; Samuel 



W. Hale, for two years, from June, 
1883. Another former governor, Wil- 
liam Haile, resided here several years 
subsequent to the expiration of his 
official term, and until his death. 

The congressional district to which 
Keene belongs has been represented 
in the United States congress for six 
terms by residents of this place, viz. : 
Peleg Sprague, Samuel Dinsmoor, Sr., 
Joseph Buffum, Salma Hale, James 
Wilson, Jr., and Thomas M. Edwards. 

Many other prominent men of the 
past, whose names and memory are 
cherished by our citizens, earned the 
eternal gratitude of posterity by their 
untiring zeal and successful efforts in 
behalf of the religious, educational, 
and business enterprises projected in 
the early years of the nineteenth cen- 
tury. Among these the name of John 
Prentiss is entitled to first place, hav- 
ing been so early identified with the 
town's history. Aside from his able 
management of one of the most in- 
fluential political newspapers in the 
state for a period of forty-eight years, 
Mr. Prentiss was an indefatigable 
worker in the various causes which 
claim and receive the support of good 
citizens everywhere. Education and 
temperance were his favorite themes 
when in conversation with young men, 
to whom his advice and example were 
often of great benefit, though not al- 
ways appreciated. He was not a 
" public " man in the general sense of 
that term, never seeking and but sel- 
dom consenting to hold office, yet his 
interest in public affairs was never 
abated until death closed his long and 
useful career just as he was round- 
ing out nearly a full century of exist- 
ence. 

Zedekiah Smith Barstow, D. D., the 
beloved pastor of the First church 
from 1818 until 1868, although a score 
of years the junior of Mr. Prentiss, 



14 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



was contemporary with him in edu- 
cational and temperance work, their 
only personal differences growing out 
of religious viev/s as expressed 
through the Sentinel and from the pul- 
pit. Dr. Barstow's career was as re- 
markable and inspiring as that of Mr. 
Prentiss, and no two men ever lived in 
Keene who wielded so much influence 
for good as did these honored citizens. 

Amos Twitchell, M. D., the genial, 
brilliant, noble, and generous physi- 
cian, whom everybody loved, was also 
interested in all public matters per- 
taining to the welfare and education 
of the young, and his warning voice 
against the use of intoxicating liquor 
saved many from destruction. His 
death, at the age of 69 years, was a 
public calamity. 

Hon. Salma Hale, statesman, au- 
thor and profound lawyer; Hon. Levi 
Chamberlain, brilliant lawyer and pop- 
ular advocate at the bar; Hon. Thom- 
as M. Edwards, prominent and influ- 
ential in all public matters and an 
early advocate of railroad enterprises 
in this section; Phineas Handerson, 
eminent barrister and dignified gentle- 
man; Gen. James Wilson, lawyer, 
statesman, orator, and big-hearted 
friend; Charles G. Adams, M. D., emi- 
nent practitioner and courtly gentle- 
man; George Tilden, educator, phil- 
anthropist, and faithful custodian of 
trust funds; John H. Fuller, honest 
merchant and kind though impulsive 
friend of the poor; Francis A. Faulk- 
ner, brilliant lawyer, faithful public 
servant, loyal citizen, and genial 
friend; William P. Wheeler, the silver- 
tongued orator and honored jurist; 
Famum F. Lane, profound lawyer and 
honest adviser; Edward Farrar, faith- 
ful ofllcial, delightful companion, and 
generous friend; — all these and many 
others, whose memory is embalmed 



in the hearts of living citizens, and 
whose public services are recorded in 
the archives of the town and city, de- 
serve more than a passing notice here, 
but space forbids. Of each it can 
truly be said, in the language of 
Shakespeare, " Such a man might be 
a copy to these younger times." 

The writer in closing this sketch 
cannot resist the temptation to again 
refer to the early history of Keene 
and the beautiful city which has been 
developed in this valley of the Ashue- 
lot. 

The choice of " Upper Ashuelot " as 
a local habitation by the early settlers 
in this valley attests their practical 
wisdom. Though compassed about 
on every hand by the primeval forest, 
in which the Indians lurked and wild 
beasts prowled by night, the pioneers 
of 1734 and 1753 discerned, as if by 
prophetic instinct, the latent possibili- 
ties of this spot, and resolutely set 
themselves about the task of develop- 
ing its resources. And when, in the 
course of time, clearings made by the 
woodman's axe let the sunlight into 
the deepest recesses of the wilderness, 
the hidden beauties of the landscape 
began to reveal themselves, like a 
symmetrical statue under the sculp- 
tor's hand. 

Gradually there emerged from the 
chaotic woodland the lines of grace 
which terminate the view, — the long 
undulating crests of Beech hill, form- 
ing the eastern horizon; the bold sum- 
mit of West mountain; and, in the 
distant perspective, the sky-piercing 
peak of grand Monadnock, marking 
out for our ancesters, as for their de- 
scendants, the visible boundaries of 
earth and heaven. 

Winding through the valley to 
which it gave its name, then, as now, 
flowed the gentle rivulet that turns 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



15 



the wheels of many a mill, and makes 
the air vocal with the murmurous 
hum of various industries. 

The fort, to which the families of 
the Blakes, the Fishers, and others 
of the earliest time had fled for ref- 
uge from the furj- of the savages, gave 
place at length to the church and the 
tavern — twin institutions which our 
manly forefathers deemed indispensa- 
ble adjuncts of their civilization; the 
blazed path through the woods broad- 
ened into Main street, as we know it 
now, with its colonnade of stately elms; 
outlying swamps were reclaimed and 



craggy hills subdued to the uses of 
husbandry; newspapers and schools, 
manufactories and savings banks, 
railroads and public libraries came 
later in the evolution of our modern 
corporate and municipal life, until, to- 
day, Keene is fully abreast of the en- 
lightened spirit and progressive social 
development of the age. 

Our citizens justly cherish a local 
pride in the city to whose beauties 
every passing straiiger pays the trib- 
ute of admiration, and whose growth 
and prosperity command the respect 
of the financial and business world. 



Reminiscences and Sketches of Keene People* 



LOOKING BACKWARD. 

Some Events in the Early History of 

Cheshire Railroad. 

The death of Hon. Reuben Stewart, 
recently announced in the Sentinel, 
reminds some of our older citizens of 
the time when the construction of the 
Cheshire Railroad was in progress, 
Mr. Stewart having been early identi- 
fied with that enterprise as well as an 
important factor in its successful 
career for nearly half a century. 
The contractors for the building of the 
road above Keene to Bast Westmore- 
land were Messrs. Parmalee & Ward, 
from York State, who brought with 
them a large force of men and estab- 
lished their headquarters at the " Sum- 
mit," employing Mr. Stewart as their 
clerk and superintendent of a supply 
store established for the accommoda- 
tion of their workmen, in which capac- 
ity he developed extraordinary busi- 
ness qualities which came to be ap- 
preciated by all in after years. Mr. 
Stewart was then a young man with 
a wife and small family of children, 
who were domiciled in a shanty near 
the store. 

Messrs. Parmalee & Ward were 
honorable men, treated their help well 
and paid thair debts promptly, not- 
withstanding which fact the workmen 
would occasionally indulge in a strike 
for some unaccountable reason and 
become turbulent and threatening in 
their attitude toward the contractors. 
At such times it became necessary to 



appeal to the authorities for protec- 
tion, and a dozen times or more be- 
fore the road was completed Sheriff 
Foster ordered out the light infantry 
companies of Keene and Westmore- 
land to suppress the rioting. The 
workmen stood in mortal fear of the 
military, and when the guns and bayo- 
nets began to glisten in the sunlight 
along the Summit road there would be 
a tremendous scampering for the ad- 
jacent woods, and not a rioter could 
be found by the time the troops ar- 
rived at the scene of disturbance. 
Then would begin a hunt for the of- 
fenders, sometimes continuing two or 
three days, during which time Mr. and 
Mrs. Stewart kept open house and re- 
galed the soldiers with hot coffee, 
doughnuts, and such other refresh- 
ments as could be conveniently pro- 
vided. 

On one of these occasions the 
" Keene Light " squad, under com- 
mand of Col. Robert Wilson, arrived 
at the Summit just at dark on a bright 
summer evening, and as usual the 
rioters fled to the woods. Col. Wilson 
ordered immediate pursuit, but the 
darkness prevented a successful 
search for the offenders, who shouted 
derisively at their pursuers and kept 
up a continual but harmless fusilade 
with shot guns and cobble stones dur- 
ing the whole night. As daylight ap- 
proached all became quiet and it was 
evident that the " enemy " was in hid- 
ing. Placing his men about twenty 
rods apart. Col. Wilson ordered an ad- 



18 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



vance, with instructions to arrest 
every man found in the woods and de- 
liver him to the sheriff, who was sta- 
tioned at the store, but positively for- 
bidding the discharge of a gun unless 
the enemy showed fight. The writer, 
then in his teens, was at the extreme 
right of this advancing column and en- 
tirely out of sight of his nearest com- 
rade. Suddenly, while making his 
way through the tangled brush, the 
gigantic form of an Irishman armed 
with a shot gun rose up before him, 
and he was greeted with the exclama- 
tion, " Don't shoot! I surrinder! I 
surrinder!" At the same time the 
Irishman handed over his gun and ex- 
pressed a willingness to obey any or- 
der that might be given by his captor. 
To say that the young soldier was ex- 
cited does not begin to express it — 
he was frightened half to death, for 
the prisoner was twice his size and 
weighed not less than two hundred 
pounds. However, collecting his 
senses, he locked arms with his prison- 
er and started back to headquarters, 
which were reached in safety, much 
to the relief of at least one of the 
party. As they approached the store 
Mr. Stewart stood on the steps with 
the sheriff, and although he was al- 
ways a sober-faced and dignified man, 
he actually laughed when he compre- 
hended the situation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were never 
disturbed by the rioters on these oc- 
casions, for they were always kind to 
the workmen and very popular with 
all with whom they came in contact. 
Mr. Stewart always contended that 
the workmen were not half as much 
to blame for their conduct as were the 
rum sellers who periodically visited 
the camp and supplied them with 
liquor, and in several instances he 
was Instrumental in having an of- 
fender's fine remitted, even paying it 



himself when unsuccessful in his ef- 
forts in that direction. His generos- 
ity and kindness made him a universal 
favorite with the workmen, some of 
whom entered into the employment 
of the railroad corporation after the 
road was completed, remaining in 
that capacity long after Mr. Stewart 
became superintendent of the line. 

Riots similar to those at the summit 
occurred occasionally along the line 
below Keene, but they were almost 
invariably caused by the failure of the 
contractors to pay off their help 
promptly, and many times there was 
quite severe fighting before order 
could be restored, although it is not 
remembered that any fatalities result- 
ed therefrom. 



IRA WETHERBEE. 
An Old Time Gambler, Crook and Al- 
leged Criminal. 

A correspondent of the Sentinel in 
a recent issue made reference to a 
notorious individual who flourished in 
this community fifty years ago, and 
whose fame as a gambler and crook 
finally extended throughout the South 
and West. The name of this re- 
nowned person was Ira Wetherbee, 
and his home was in Chesterfield, 
where he owned a farm near the cen- 
tre of the town. He was a lithe, wiry, 
good-looking young man when I first 
knew him, and on public occasions 
like musters and trainings he was 
generally on hand with his dice-box 
and playing cards, prepared to enter- 
tain the boys with any kind of gaming 
they wished to indulge in and inci- 
dentally to rake in what spare cash 
they possessed. 

He sometimes dressed in a fiashy 
style, a blue or green dress coat orna- 
mented with brass buttons, white 
trousers, a red necktie and a black 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



19 



silk hat with a "weed" being promi- 
nent features of his costume. It was 
said that he always carried a brace 
of pistols, but if so he was not in the 
habit of displaying them or of threat- 
ening violence of any kind, although 
no one doubted his readiness to de- 
fend himself in case of altercations 
arising from his dangerous vocation. 
His movements and general habits 
were mysterious, one peculiarity be- 
ing that he would never ride on the 
middle seat of a stage coach or sit at 
a hotel table with others unless he 
could face all in the room. Invariably 
when visiting a hotel he would keep 
all strangers in front of him, and if 
he took a seat it was with his back 
to the wall, thus giving the impression 
that he was in constant fear of an at- 
tack from some one whom he had 
wronged. 

In the manipulation of cards and 
dice he was an expert and was be- 
lieved to be more than a match in this 
respect for the shrewdest gamblers of 
the times. During one of his visits to 
Keene, about 1845, he called at Til- 
den's bookbindery when the writer 
was present and asked the foreman 
of the shop to trim some cards which 
he said were improperly finished. 
Producing a number of packs of "star- 
backs," he directed that they be 
trimmed by clipping a very small, 
slightly wedge-shaped strip from one 
side of the spot cards, leaving the 
others as they were, thus creating a 
style of cards which came to be 
known as "strippers," and with which 
an expert manipulator could give his 
opponent high or low cards at will. 
After the trimming was completed 
Wetherbee threw out a silver dollar 
for the foreman, remarking, "Young 
man, I hope you will never play cards 
for money." 



Not many years after this, Wether- 
bee was charged with burning some 
buildings in Chesterfield, and although 
he was not arrested an indictment 
was found against him by the grand 
jury of the Common Pleas court over 
which Judge Joel Parker presided. 
One night during the early part of the 
term of court the records were stolen 
from the court room, thus destroying 
the evidence against Wetherbee and 
necessitating a postponement of the 
trial. The Court offered a reward of 
five hundred dollars for the recovery 
of the records, but no trace of them 
could be found during the several 
days' search by the sheriff and his 
deputies. One frosty morning in Oc- 
tober, about two weeks after the 
records were abstracted, two boys 
from the Sentinel oflSce were out 
shooting partridges on Beech Hill, 
when they stumbled upon a pile of 
ashes where some one had built a fire, 
evidently but a short time previous. 
Curiosity led them to rake over the 
pile with their guns, when they dis- 
covered bits of paper with writing 
upon them which they instantly recog- 
nized as the chirography of Leonard 
Bisco, the clerk of the court. At 
once it dawned upon their minds that 
they had found the remains of the 
missing court records, and they at 
once notified Judge Parker of the dis- 
covery. He accompanied them to the 
spot, which was some twenty rods 
south of the present reservoir, and 
after inspecting the find pronounced it 
the remains of the stolen documents, 
and he did not hesitate to say that 
in his opinion Ira Wetherbee perpe- 
trated the burglary in order to de- 
stroy evidence of a crime more serious 
in its character. Nothing was said 
by the officials regarding the reward 
offered for the recovery of the records. 



20 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



and perhaps the boys referred to 
could have had no just claim for their 
services, but they felt at the time as 
though they were at least entitled to 
the thanks of the Court, although no 
such courtesy was shown them. 

Wetherbee was a frequent visitor 
in Keene and attended many of the 
military balls given by the Light In- 
fantry company at the Emerald House. 
He was a graceful dancer and his con- 
duct on such occasions was irreproach- 
able. At one of the annual trainings 
of the Light Infantry company he 
presented himself at the armory and 
asked to be allowed to join the ranks, 
which request was granted by the of- 
ficers, who furnished him with a uni- 
form and other necessary equipments. 
Proceeding to the rear room in the 
armory he divested himself of two 
complete suits of clothing, both of fine 
quality but entirely different in color 
and style, and then donned the uni- 
form, in which he looked every inch 
the soldier. The armory was well 
stocked with liquors of all kinds 
which were free to all members of the 
company. After dressing, Wetherbee 
handed the captain a huge roll of bank 
bills, requesting him to keep it until 
the training was over as he had no 
pocket that would accommodate it. 
He then proceeded to avail himself of 
the privileges enjoyed by the mem- 
bers of the company, and after taking 
two or three drinks and filling his 
canteen with choice cherry rum, he 
took his place in the ranks and the 
company started for Central Square. 
Before marching far it was discovered 
that Wetherbee had a bigger load than 
he could carry. What to do with him 
was a momentous question with the 
oflacers, but they finally placed him 
in the centre of a section, with a com- 
rade on each side to keep him from 



falling. The company then marched 
directly to the Emerald House, where 
Wetherbee was left to recover from 
the effects of his intemperate liba- 
tions. He afterward apologized to the 
officers, declaring at the same time 
that it was the first and last time of 
his being drunk in Keene. His roll 
of money left with the captain con- 
tained nearly two thousand dollars, 
and he was evidently expecting a 
gambling contest for big stakes. 

Wetherbee was suspected of various 
crimes, even of highway robbery as 
well as arson. On one occasion he 
gave a Keene gentleman, the late Col. 
Nehemiah Hart, quite a scare. The 
colonel had just completed a contract 
for building a road along the shore of 
Spofford Lake and had been paid the 
price agreed upon by the selectmen 
of Chesterfield. As he was about 
starting for home, late in the day, 
Wetherbee approached him and in- 
quired if he had got his pay for the 
job. Unthinkingly, the colonel replied 
that he had his pay in his pocket, and 
soon after he started for Keene. He 
had not driven many miles before he 
was overtaken by a man with a horse 
and gig who rushed by him with great 
speed and disappeared in the dark- 
ness. The colonel recognized the 
man as Ira Wetherbee, although no 
words were spoken as he passed; and 
believing that he was in danger of 
being robbed he turned about and 
drove to a farm house near by, where 
he remained all night. After putting 
up his team the colonel and his host 
watched the road until they saw 
Wetherbee slowly returning toward 
Chesterfield with his horse and gig, 
doubtless wondering what had be- 
come of his intended victim. 

Shortly after this, or about the 
time of the gold discovery in Call- 



OF KEENB PEOPLE. 



21 



fornia, Wetherbee disappeared from 
this section of the country, and it was 
rumored that he was killed in a gam- 
blers' fight while crossing the Isthmus 
on his way to the land of gold. The 
influence which Wetherbee exercised 
upon the young men and boys in this 
community was very demoralizing. 
His jaunty air, free and easy manners 
and total disregard of the conse- 
quences of his reckless course of life 
made him a hero in the eyes of many 
young men who imagined that wealth 
and a life of ease might result from 
following his pernicious example. 



SPELLING SCHOOLS. 

A Favorite Pastime in Country School 

Districts Fifty Years Ago. 

Mr. Editor: A news item in a re- 
cent number of the Sentinel relative 
to a spelling contest in the neighbor- 
ing village of Brattleboro, Vt., revives 
memories of similar contests frequent 
in my boyhood days, a brief descrip- 
tion of which may serve as a fitting 
close of the series of reminiscences 
in which I have indulged of late, per- 
haps too freely. 

The country boys and girls of fifty 
years ago had few sources of amuse- 
ment and recreation compared with 
those enjoyed at the present day even 
in the quietest of rural villages. 
There were no grange organizations 
with weekly meetings and frequent 
festivals as is now the case in almost 
every town, and neighborhood parties, 
apple parings and spelling schools 
were the principal amusements dur- 
ing the long dreary winters. Of these 
diversions the spelling school was 
easily the most popular and beneficial 
as an educator. In those days, all 
studied the spelling book as long as 
they attended school. Poor spelling 



was a disgrace. In stormy winter 
evenings children would hear each 
other spell until the whole book be- 
came familiar. In some towns spell- 
ing schools were held one evening in 
a week during the winter term. Each 
district had its own school, but pupils 
from other districts were invited. All 
were free to attend, and all were given 
an equal chance. Children not more 
than eight or ten years old were wel- 
comed if they could spell, and it was 
often the case that these young peo- 
ple carried off the honors as well as 
the prizes which were sometimes 
awarded the most proficient in spell- 
ing. These schools were announced 
several days beforehand, so that pu- 
pils in other districts might know of 
them, and boys and girls often went 
two or three miles to take part in the 
contests, which were as interesting 
and exciting as the ball and tennis 
games of the present day, and as pro- 
fitable, perhaps, both mentally and 
physically. The school house was the 
place of meeting, and it was made at- 
tractive by a rousing blaze in the fire- 
place and rows of burning candles and 
whale oil lamps along the desks and 
upon the teacher's table. 

When the hour for spelling arrived, 
the master called the school to order 
by rapping upon his desk. Often- 
times there were as many spectators 
as spellers, but they were still and 
orderly, so interested were they in 
the contest. Two of the older pupils 
were generally selected to choose 
sides, and these drew lots for first 
choice. Of course the best spellers 
were chosen first. Neither beauty nor 
favoritism had any influence in the 
choice. The freckled faces and the 
turned-up noses were as sure to be 
chosen first as the fairer ones, if they 
could spell. The one that chose first 



22 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



spelled first; then the one opposite, 
and in this way they continued to 
spell back and forth. If a word was 
misspelled on one side and rightly 
spelled on the other, the latter had a 
right to draw to its ranks any one 
from the other side except the 
chooser. Sometimes one would win 
all from the other side, and when 
neither could conquer in this way the 
contest was decided in favor of the 
side having the fullest ranks at the 
hour agreed upon for closing. At 
other times every one who misspelled 
a word sat down and took no further 
part in the exercises. The rules were 
strict. No whispering was allowed, 
and if a pupil was detected in prompt- 
ing a member of the class, the other 
side had the right to draw one from 
that side or to require the culprit to 
sit down. The teacher was obliged to 
be constantly on the watch. He was 
judge and jury and decided all dis- 
puted questions. In fact, a successful 
and profitable spelling school de- 
pended as much on the teacher as on 
the pupils. Good spellers, like good 
singers, were known for a long dis- 
tance and they were in great demand 
at the spelling matches, not only in 
their own district and town, but in 
neighboring towns. 

The social part of the spelling 
school was no less interesting than 
the intellectual. There were always 
more boys than girls, and when they 
were ready to go home the scramble 
for partners was great fun for those 
who had just reached the age for mis- 
chief and pranks. It was not the 
plain-faced girl who had done the 
spelling, the one that had given Har- 
ry's side the victory, that he remem- 
bered in the home-going. It was the 
girl with the smiles and dimples, the 
one on the other side who had mis- 



spelled almost every word. Harry 
was a philosopher, and he believed 
the blessings should be equally di- 
vided. 

How clearly those old-time winter 
scenes come back to me as I write! 
It seems but yesterday that I left 
them. I see the school, the master 
and the spellers. I see the lights go 
out and hear the clang of the heavy 
door; I feel the warm hand-clasps and 
hear the tender good-byes, and I hear 
footsteps crunching the icy snow and 
the sound of merry voices growing 
fainter and fainter in the distance 
and darkness until all is silent. Orion 
and the Pleiades still shine over those 
places, but the old school house with 
its slanting aisles has succumbed to 
the march of progress and the school- 
master has gone with it. The boys 
and girls who helped to make life so 
bright and joyous to me are all scat- 
tered. Some are yet busy with the 
world's work, but the most of them 
are "over the river." 



A BOYHOOD INCIDENT. 
Mr. George A. Wheelock Mistakes a 
Cat for a Rabbit. 
The reference to Mr. Wheelock 
made by the writer of the article en- 
titled " An Old Keene Muster," pub- 
lished in Saturday's Evening Sentinel, 
reminds me of an incident of my early 
days, when Mr. W. was a young man 
and famous throughout the neighbor- 
hood of Keene as a " dead shot " with 
a rifle. It was his habit to stroll along 
the highway skirting the meadows, 
near which I then lived, in the West 
part of the town, armed with his 
trusty weapon, and pick off blackbirds, 
hawks or rabbits at a distance which 
made the accomplishment of such 
feats seem marvelous in my youthful 
eyes. 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



23 



One morning, as I was watching my 
favorite white cat in her search for 
meadow moles, a hundred yards at 
least from the road, I was startled by 
the sharp crack of a rifle and a gym- 
nastic performance on the part of 
pussy, who jumped three or four feet 
into the air and then bounded away 
for the house. Looking around, I saw 
Mr. Wheelock, whom I well knew, 
standing in the road with his smoking 
rifle in his hands, and near him was 
another young man (presumably Mr. 
Perry) who was armed likewise. The 
cause of pussy's sudden flight became 
at once apparent. I shouted at the 
top of my voice, " Don't shoot my cat, 
Mr. Wheelock," and the reply came 
back, " Oh was that a cat? "We 
thought it was a rabbit. I am sorry 
I frightened her so, and hope I didn't 
hit her." 

On returning home I found pussy 
had lost about half an inch of one of 
her ears, but was otherwise uninjured. 
At the time I doubted Mr. W.'s asser- 
tion that he mistook the cat for a 
rabbit, but in after years, when I came 
to know him better, I became con- 
vinced that he was not a man who 
would wantonly injure a domestic 
animal or outrage the feelings of a 
poor boy by knowingly shooting at 
his favorite pussy. 



OLD CUSTOMS. 

The Writer Recalls Practices of Fifty 

Years Ago. 

Elderly people are apt to delight in 
contemplating the events and customs 
of their early days, especially the cus- 
toms which have become obsolete or 
relegated to " innocuous desuetude." 

One of the old-time practices in al- 
most every New England village was 
the ringing of the church bell at noon 
and 9 o'clock p. m. every day, and 



even in bustling little Keene this 
custom prevailed within the memory 
of those whose age does not exceed 
fifty years. There were then no 
steam whistles or railway trains to 
denote a particular hour, and the noon 
bell was almost a necessity — certainly 
a great convenience — and people de- 
pended upon it for the correct time. 
The bell in the old First church tower 
was the one used for this purpose up 
to about the time the Cheshire rail- 
road was opened, there being but one 
other church bell in the centre of the 
town at that time. 

The bell now in the tower of the 
Baptist church edifice was then locat- 
ed in the steeple of the old meeting 
house in Ash Swamp, and was known 
as the " Ash Swamp bell." This bell 
was also rung at noon and night for 
the benefit of the people living in that 
part of the town. Occasionally the 
bell ringing at " The Swamp " was in 
charge of the boys, who sometimes 
prolonged the ceremony to the ex- 
tent of creating an alarm of fire at 
the centre, and more than once the 
writer has seen the entire fire depart- 
ment of the town rushing through 
West street and along the Westmore- 
land road on its way to a supposed 
conflagration in the vicinity of the 
swamp meeting house. To prevent 
mistakes of this kind it was finally 
agreed that the firemen should pay 
no attention to this bell unless its 
ringing was continued more than five 
minutes! 

Another odd custom was the tolling 
of the church bell to announce the 
death of a person. The sex of the de- 
ceased was indicated by a few strokes 
in quick succession — three for a male 
and four for a female — followed after 
a brief interval by the number of 
strokes corresponding with the age in 
years; so that, in almost every in- 



24 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



stance, the name of the dead person 
was made known through this medi- 
um, as everybody in those days was 
acquainted with all the people of their 
town and knew of all serious cases 
of illness in the community. These 
solemn announcements were heard in 
all parts of the town and listened to 
with great interest. 

These old customs, once so general, 
have now almost entirely disappeared. 
There may be here and there a coun- 
try town where one or more of them 
are still observed, but it is probable 
that no town in Cheshire county con- 
tinues them to this day. 



THE TIPPECANOE CAMPAIGN. 

Daniel Webster's Speech at a Whig 

Mass Meeting in Keene. 

Every citizen of Keene who remem- 
bers the exciting local events attend- 
ing the presidential campaign of 1840 
can with pleasure recall the visit of 
Daniel Webster in September of that 
year and his speech before a Whig 
mass meeting held on the academy 
grounds on Winter street. It was an 
occasion such as Keene had never be- 
fore enjoyed and interest in it was 
universal throughout Cheshire county. 
It was probably the largest mass 
meeting ever held here prior to that 
time. Democrats as well as Whigs 
flocking in great numbers to see and 
hear the wonderful orator whose 
fame, even at that time, was world- 
wide. The words and sentiments ut- 
tered by Mr. Webster on the occasion 
referred to cannot now be recalled 
by one who was then but ten years of 
age, but his dignified manner and im- 
posing figure will be remembered, by 
all who saw him, as long as memory 
lasts. From the opening to the close 
of Mr. Webster's remarks the audi- 
ence was as quiet and orderly as if 



listening to a sermon in church, the 
universal desire being to catch every 
word that fell from the speaker's lips. 
To the younger portion of the audi- 
ence the occasion appeared to be one 
of great solemnity, and when at the 
close of the address a glee club struck 
up a rollicking Tippecanoe song they 
could not repress the feeling that it 
was almost a sacrilegious act and en- 
tirely inappropriate to the occasion. 

The statue of Mr. Webster in the 
state house yard at Concord repre- 
sents him as he appeared at the time 
of his visit to Keene and is astonish- 
ingly correct. There is something 
awe-inspiring in the bronze figure 
there displayed, but to have seen the 
original and listened to his matchless 
eloquence was to compel reverence 
and impress one with the feeling that 
Daniel Webster was something more 
than human. No wonder that the 
people almost worshipped this won- 
derful man and referred to him as 
" the God-like Daniel." 

After Mr. Webster's visit the cam- 
paign grew exciting and absorbed the 
attention of almost every citizen up 
to the day of election. Party spirit 
ran high, many personal encounters 
resulting therefrom. There were no 
campaign flags displayed, no parades, 
no torchlight processions, but until a 
late hour almost every night the 
streets swarmed with men and boys 
of both parties who sang campaign 
songs and lustily cheered for their re- 
spective candidates for the presi- 
dency and uttered sepulchral groans 
for their opponents. These wild or- 
gies were kept up until the day of 
election, when for two or three days 
comparative quiet reigned, both par- 
ties breathlessly awaiting the na- 
tion's verdict. When this was finally 
announced the excitement became in- 
tense and the victorious Whigs in- 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



25 



dulged for an entire day in the most 
extravagant demonstrations of joy. 
Three field pieces were procured and 
properly manned, and with these were 
kept up an almost incessant cannon- 
ading in and around Central Square 
for more than six hours. 

Other Campaigns. 
Compared with the political cam- 
paign of 1840 those of '44 and '48 were 
tame affairs, but the one preceding 
the election of Franklin Pierce to the 
presidency in 1852 was very exciting 
throughout the state, partly owing to 
the fact that Mr. Pierce was a citizen 
of New Hampshire. Keene people 
took a deep interest in the contest, 
and it was during this campaign that 
flags bearing the names of political 
candidates were first " flung to the 
breeze." These were not swung 
across the street by a rope or wire as 
is now the practice, but were dis- 
played in the only way in which the 
United States flag should be floated — 
from a mast or liberty-pole. The first 
campaign flag raised in Keene bore 
the names of Scott and Graham, the 
last candidates ever nominated by the 
Whig party for the ofiices of president 
and vice president. The flagstaff was 
erected over the Sentinel oflBce, then 
located in what is now Whitcomb's 
block. It towered some thirty feet 
above the ridgepole, and from it de- 
pended a modest little flag inscribed 
as above stated. This movement on 
the part of the Whigs aroused the 
Democrats, who at once erected a 
taller pole over the Cheshire Repub- 
lican oflace from which they displayed 
a larger flag bearing the names of 
their candidates, Pierce and King. 
The Whigs then spliced their pole, 
making it several feet taller than the 
one over the Republican office, and 
procured a new and larger flag. This 



was followed on the part of their op- 
ponents by the erection of a new and 
very handsome pole cut from a spruce 
tree which measured nearly eighty 
feet in height, and from this was 
floated the largest flag ever seen here 
up to that time. 

The young and active Whigs de- 
termined to beat their opponents in 
the matter of poles and flags if noth- 
ing else, and they began scouring the 
woodlands in search of a still taller 
tree. At last one was found in the 
town of Sullivan which experienced 
mill men said was over one hundred 
feet in height. It was immediately 
felled, hewn down to the right pro- 
portions and decorate;d with several 
coats of white paint before it was 
drawn out of the woods. A large 
gilded figure of an eagle was fastened 
to the top, pulleys were inserted just 
below it, and the pole was ready for 
use. It was drawn down to the 
Square and by cutting a hole through 
the roof of the Sentinel building on the 
east side the boys were enabled to 
raise it to a perpendicular with the 
big end resting on the attic floor where 
it was securely fastened. The height 
of this staff above the ridgepole was 
ninety-one feet and the flag which had 
been made especially for it was fifty 
feet in length by thirty in width — the 
largest flag, the manufacturer said, 
that was ever made to float from a 
flagstaff. It was a handsome sight to 
see this flag, surmounted by a stream- 
er one hundred feet long, flying in a 
stiff breeze, as all the proportions of 
the outfit were symmetrical and the 
flag itself was held close to the staff 
by hoops fastened to the edge at inter- 
vals of two or three feet. In rainy or 
damp weather, accompanied by a good 
breeze, the flag would crack like a 
rifle shot and could be heard at a long 
distance. 



26 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



No further attempt was made by 
the opposing party to excel the efforts 
of the Whigs in the matter of flags 
and flagstaffs, and thus ended a rival- 
ry which engrossed the attention of 
the town for many weeks. 

The Campaign of 1856. 

The demise of the old Whig organi- 
zation was followed by the birth of 
the Republican party which came into 
national existence early in 1856, or 
immediately upon the close of the 
brief but brilliant career of the Know 
Nothings. In that year the Democrats 
of New Hampshire were beaten in the 
presidential contest for the first time 
since the early days of the republic. 
The new party and its principles be- 
came very popular as the presidential 
campaign advanced and when the 
election returns came in it was found 
that the Fremont and Dayton candi- 
dates for electors had majorities of 
five thousand or more over the Bu- 
chanan and Breckenridge ticket In 
the campaign of that year street pa- 
rades and torchlight processions were 
first introduced here, and they have 
been the conspicuous features of every 
campaign since that time. 

The local events attending the Lin- 
coln campaign of 1860 and those 
which have followed are of such re- 
cent date that it is hardly necessary 
to call attention to them now. A gen- 
eration hence some reminiscent citi- 
zen may be able to write an interest- 
ing chapter regarding them for the 
benefit of his youthful friends. 



AN OLD-TIME DEBATING CLUB. 

"The Keene Forensic Society and 

Lyceum." 

While examining a collection of old 
documents and papers, recently, the 
writer discovered the records of a de- 



bating society formed in Keene in 
1829. The organization took the title 
above quoted and was comprised of 
the leading men of the town, eighty- 
one of whom appear to have signed 
the constitution of the society at its 
first meeting on the 3d of July in the 
year above named. These eighty-one 
names are still familiar in this com- 
munity, nearly all of them being as- 
sociated with the religious, education- 
al and business interests of the town 
for many years subsequent to the for- 
mation of this society. The names as 
they stand upon the records are as 
follows : 



Gustavus A. Wright. 
Phiiiehas Fiske. 
Nathaniel Dana. 
William Jennings. 
Abiiah W. Kingsbury. 
D. Bradford. 
William Dinsmoor. 
Joseph Marsh. 
B. F. Adams. 
J. Dorr. 
S. Prentiss Cobb. 

F. Faulkner. 
Jesse Corbett. 
Josiah W. Horr. 
Azel Wilder. 

V. Carter. 
R. Montague. 
Oliver Holman. 
William King. 

G. C. Dean. 
John G. Thatcher. 
Albert Godfrey. 
F. C. Watkins. 
Henry Willard. 
Everett Newcomb. 
P. Ilanderson. 
John H. Fuller. 
Nathaniel Evans. 
Barton Skinner. 

A. G. Skinner. 
Isaac Sturtevant. 

B. F. Tilden. 
John C. Mason. 
John Orcutt. 
Milton Kimball. 
David Dutton. 
L. H. Briggs. 
O. R. Stevens. 
N. Bishop. 

W. P. Wheeler. 



Salma Hale. 
Z. S. Barstow. 
T. K. Sullivan. 
Joel Parker. 
John Elliot. 
Thos. M. Edwards. 
Aaron Hall. 
Elijah Parker. 
John Prentiss. 
Jolin W. Prentiss. 
Justus Perry. 
Samuel A. Gerould. 
Horatio Prentiss. 
Nahum Stone. 
James Wilson, Jr. 
A. H. Bennett. 
George Tilden. 
Timothy Hall. 
Charles Lamson. 
John F. Hale. 
Jona. F. Locke. 
John Hatch. 
J. B. Dousman. 
George Blaisdell. 
Isaac Rand. 
S. Dinsmoor, Jr. 
Sumner Wheeler. 
Daniel Watson, Jr. 
William Lamsou. 
W. E. Dunbar. 
John C. Hatch. 
A. Harrington. 
J. Henry Elliot. 
J. M. Blake. 
Chas. P. Perkins. 
Quincy Wheeler. 
Eliphalet Briggs. 
John W. Briggs. 
Charles Kingsbury. 
A. Holman. 
Luiner Nurse. 



Of all these prominent and influen- 
tial men only one, it is believed, is 
alive today — Hon. J. H. Elliot, who is 
still a resident of Keene. Doubtless 
many others became members of the 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



2? 



society during the thirteen years of 
its existence, but their names do not 
appear as signers of the constitution. 

The first meeting of ttie society was 
called to order by Hon. John Prentiss, 
and the following named gentlemen 
were elected as its officers: Hon. 
Salma Hale, president; Gen. Justus 
Perry and Capt. Aaron Hall, vice 
presidents; Col. James Wilson, Jr., 
secretary; Timothy Hall, treasurer; 
Rev. Z. S. Barstow, Rev. T. R. Sulli- 
van, Col. James Wilson, Jr., and T. M. 
Edwards, Esq., directors. 

The exercises of the association, as 
declared in its constitution, consisted 
of " forensic disputations " upon such 
subjects as were deemed expedient by 
the directors, " excepting always that 
no question of controversial theology 
be admitted." The discussions em- 
braced a wide range of subjects, as 
may be inferred from a partial list 
submitted by the directors at one of 
the meetings and which included the 
following: 

Has Congress the right to abolish 
slavery in the District of Columbia? 

Ought there to be test acts to ex- 
clude infidels from public office? 

Ought the duties imposed by the 
tariff laws to be diminished? 

Can the immortality of the soul be 
proved from the light of nature? 

Do the interests of religion require 
a new translation of the Bible? 

Ought all religions to be tolerated? 

Ought property to be a qualification 
for exercising the right of suffrage in 
a republic? 

Would a national bank be beneficial 
to the country? 

Do spectres ever appear? 

Ought the immigration of foreigners 
to be restrained by law? 

Is it good policy in our government 
to encourage manufactures? 



Would it be advantageous to the 
public and to Keene to construct a 
railway from Boston through Keene 
to the Connecticut river? 

These and many other subjects 
were carefully considered at the vari- 
ous meetings, and, judging from the 
meagre records of the debates, were 
made highly interesting by the talent- 
ed speakers who took part in the dis- 
cussions. Some of the sentiments ut- 
tered upon these questions present a 
strong contrast to those expressed by 
the same gentlemen in after years. 
Thus, when the subject of slavery was 
before the lyceum, Mr. Barstow is re- 
ported as saying that " the people of 
New England have no right to meddle 
with the subject at all. Interference 
with it is only ' casting fire-brands, 
arrows and death ' to the South." He 
believed, however, that slavery should 
be abolished in the District of Colum- 
bia and that it was " justifiable in us 
to work for that end." In after years 
Mr. Barstow became quite a strong ad- 
vocate of emancipation and preached 
some excellent abolition sermons in 
which he strongly denounced slavery 
as a national curse and a sin against 
God. 

The elder Mr. Prentiss, also, took 
about the same view of this question 
as did Mr. Barstow. He is recorded 
as saying that " to try to require the 
South to give .up from five to seven 
millions of property would only create 
anarchy, confusion and a dissolution 
of the Union." He conceded the right 
of the people to meet together and 
discuss the subject, but denied that 
they were privileged to publish inflam- 
matory articles that would excite the 
slaveholders. And yet, from the time 
when " Uncle Tom's Cabin " was first 
issued until emancipation was con- 
summated Mr. Prentiss was in full 



28 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



sympathy with the abolition move- 
ment. He was the first person in 
Keene to read Mrs. Stowe's wonderful 
story of " Uncle Tom," which he or- 
dered from Boston. The morning af- 
ter he came in possession of it he 
called at the " Keene Bookstore " with 
the two paper-covered volumes under 
his arm and informed his friends 
there that he had been converted to 
abolitionism by reading this story and 
that he had spent the previous day 
and half the night in a perusal of it. 
He also declared that Mrs. Stowe had 
dealt the slaveholders the hardest 
blow ever sustained by the advocates 
of the " peculiar institution," and pre- 
dicted that he should live to see the 
day when slavery would be abolished 
in America — a prediction which was 
happily fulfilled. 

One of the last discussions held by 
the society was upon the subject of 
the proposed building of a railroad 
from Fitchburg to Keene. Hon. Sal- 
ma Hale and Hon. John Prentiss sup- 
ported the project, while J. H. Elliot 
and others opposed it. The decision 
of the meeting, according to the rec- 
ords, was in favor of carrying out the 
projected enterprise, and no doubt 
local interest in the question was first 
awakened through the action of this 
society. 

Other enterprises and reforms were 
originated and given iqipetus through 
the discussions and lectures at the 
meetings of this society, and many 
young men became accustomed to 
speaking in public by participating in 
its proceedings. Such an institution 
if in existence here today would prove 
of incalculable advantage to our 
young men, and the entire community 
would be benefited thereby. Who will 
move to revive " The Keene Forensic 
Society and Lyceum?" 



STAGING AND TEAMING 

In the Days Prior to the Building of 

Railroads. 

Many residents of Keene are able 
to recall the lively scenes on our 
streets in the days when staging and 
teaming were profitable enterprises 
and engaged the attention of a large 
number of people along the principal 
avenues of travel between Boston and 
Northern New England. Previous to 
the opening of the Cheshire railroad 
it was by no means unusual to see 
five or six large stage coaches stand- 
ing in front of the Cheshire House at 
about seven o'clock in the morning, 
to each of which was attached a 
team of four or six horses, awaiting 
the moment of departure for their 
respective destinations. The prepara- 
tions for starting, together with a 
curiosity to see the strangers who were 
travelling by these public convey- 
ances, always drew a crowd of idle 
men and boys about the hotel and at- 
tracted more or less the attention of 
all located in the vicinity. The ar- 
rivals and departures of railroad pas- 
senger trains at the present day at- 
tract many people to the station who 
have no other object in view than to 
gaze upon strange faces and observe 
what others are doing, and the same 
kind of curiosity was manifested in 
old stage coach times. The Cheshire 
House porch, then extending com- 
pletely across the front of the build- 
ing, was usually filled with spectators 
whenever a stage left or arrived at 
the hotel, giving that section of the 
village a lively appearance. 

The drivers of the coaches were a 
very popular class of people and re- 
ceived many favors at the hands of 
travellers and citizens. They were 
honest, faithful men and were often 
entrusted with large sums of money 
by merchants who had dealings with 



OF KEENB PEOPLE. 



29 



Boston parties and others along the 
lines followed by the stages. Among 
these knights of the whip were some 
of the men who subsequently became 
railroad conductors or expressmen, al- 
though most of them disappeared from 
this community soon after the cars 
supplanted the coaches. The drivers 
best known to the writer were resi- 
dents of Keene or vicinity and a list 
of them embraces such familiar names 
as Capt. William Marsh (afterward 
the stage company's agent here), 
Amos Nicholas, Edward Pennock, Ira 
and Hiram Hodgkins, Peletiah Arm- 
strong, Morris Miller, Josiah and Ed- 
ward Boutell, William Huntington, 
Gardner Hall, Josiah Whitcomb, Har- 
rison Clark, John Brown, and a few 
others of less note, all of whom were 
of a jovial, kind-hearted disposition 
and immensely popular with the boys 
as well as with older people. 

Another noted driver, who after- 
ward became a millionaire, was Na- 
thaniel White, who for a short time 
drove the Keene and Concord stage. 
He died in Concord only a few years 
ago, the richest man in the state and 
universally loved and respected. Mr. 
White was a great admirer of horses 
and never lost interest in the occupa- 
tion in which his early life was spent. 
It was the writer's good fortune to 
accompany him to the Philadelphia 
Exposition in 1876, arriving there one 
Saturday night after a week of hard 
work and excitement at the Republi- 
can National convention at Cincinnati. 
At daylight the next morning Mr. 
White arose and proceeded to a livery 
stable where he ordered a team of 
four horses attached to an old-fash- 
ioned stage coach for a drive around 
Fairmount park. Taking his friends 
aboard at their hotel, he mounted the 
box, took the reins from the hands of 
the coachman and dashed away in fine 



style. For an hour Mr. White kept 
the team going at a lively pace, and 
on returning to the hotel for break- 
fast he remarked that he had not ex- 
perienced such a pleasant drive for 
years. 

In fair weather during the summer 
and autumn seasons travelling by 
stage through this section of the 
country was truly delightful. The 
grand scenery along the route of the 
stages won the admiration of all 
strangers. It is related of Daniel 
Webster that when visiting Keene in 
1840 he extended his journey to Ver- 
mont, going by stage through WaJ- 
pole. On reaching the height of land, 
where a magnificent view of the 
Green Mountains and the Connecticut 
river and valley is obtained, Mr. Web- 
ster requested the driver to stop his 
team for a few minutes that he might 
step out of the coach for a better sur- 
vey of the landscape. The driver re- 
plied that he had the United States 
mail on board and could not detain it 
unnecessarily, at the same time sug- 
gesting that if Mr. Webster would 
take a seat on the box beside him he 
would have a better view of the scen- 
ery. The sugestion was acted upon 
with alacrity and the great statesman 
and the proud stage-driver rode side 
by side during the remainder of the 
trip. 

Teaming with Horses. 

Another of the interesting sights 
on our streets and along the stage 
routes was the periodical departure 
and return of numerous teams for the 
transportation of goods and merchan- 
dise between Boston and points as 
far north as Canada line. These usu- 
ally consisted of huge baggage wagons 
to which were attached four, six or 
eight horses, according to the weight 
of the load. Several of these teams 
were owned in Keene, three by Laton 



30 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



Martin, and others by Charles Dwin- 
nel, Isaiah Robbins, Charles Towne, 
Calvin Benton, and a Mr. Hazelton. 
Mr. Martin had the reputation of be- 
ing the best teamster on the road, 
and in this business he laid the foun- 
dation of an ample competency. His 
horses, large, powerful animals, al- 
ways looked sleek and were capable 
of hauling immense loads over the 
roads between Keene and Boston. 
Mr. Martin is still a resident of Keene, 
hale and hearty in his advanced age, 
and enjoying the fruits of a long and 
honorable business career. Like Mr. 
White, above referred to, he is a 
great admirer of good horses, and in 
pleasant weather is often seen driv- 
ing about town behind a spirited pair. 
Teams that went further north were 
seen on the road every day of the 
week, Sundays not excepted. The 
old Sun Tavern on Court street was 
a favorite stopping place for these 
teamsters, and frequently several of 
them would be quartered there for 
the night at the same time, making 
lively work for the kitchen girls as 
well as the stable boys. The opening 
of the railroad of course ended the 
heavy teaming with horses, and at 
this day an eight-horse team of any 
kind is rarely seen. 

The First Express. 

The first Keene man to engage in 
the express business was Francis Da- 
vis, who is still a resident of this city. 
In his young days Mr. Davis spent 
two or three years in the West Indies 
and South America, returning home 
early in 1845 somewhat broken in 
health through an attack of yellow 
fever. His physician advised him to 
engage in some employment requir- 
ing exercise in the open air as a 
means of restoring his health. Con- 
sequently Mr. Davis conceived the 



idea of establishing an express be- 
tween Keene and Boston, and in the 
month of the following May he made 
his first trip over the stage route via 
Fitchburg with a two-horse team car- 
rying small parcels and light articles 
that could be more rapidly transport- 
ed in a team of that kind than by 
heavy teams and stages. The enter- 
prise was successful from the start, 
and in a short time it became neces- 
sary to increase the number of his 
weekly trips and to add another pair 
of horses to his team. Naturally 
there was some competition between 
the stage and express companies, as 
is shown by the following incident re- 
lated by Mr. Davis: Just previous to 
the meeting of congress in 1845 there 
was much interest manifested in the 
forthcoming first message of President 
Polk. Father Prentiss, then editor of 
the Sentinel, asked Mr. Davis to pro- 
cure for him a copy of the message in 
Boston, promising a reward of five 
dollars if he would get it here in ad- 
vance of the mail, which came by 
stage. " Card." Hall, one of the stage 
drivers, heard of the matter and re- 
marked that he would " make Davis 
earn that five dollars " — a remark 
equivalent to a challenge for a race 
between the stage and express teams. 
On the day the message was procur- 
able in Boston Davis and Hall left 
that city at about the same hour, 
each determined to reach Keene ahead 
of the other. The express got the lead 
and kept it the entire distance, arriv- 
ing here nearly an hour ahead of the 
schedule time. Mr. Prentiss stood 
on the Cheshire House steps awaiting 
Mr. Davis's arrival, and after hand- 
ing over the reward he hastened to 
return to his ofiice with the message 
in his possession. Hardly had he 
turned about, however, before he 
saw the stage coming up Main street. 



A SKETCH OF KEENE. 



31 



the horses on the run and covered 
with foam. Waving the paper over 
his head Mr. Prentiss shouted, " You 
won it fairly, Mr. Davis, but it was a 
close shave." 

When the Fitchburg railroad was 
completed, Mr. Davis sold his business 
to Mr. Bigelow of Boston, who was 
then running an express over that 
line. On the completion of the Chesh- 
ire road, Mr. Bigelow sold out to 
Fisk & Rice, Mr. Fisk, being a resident 
of Keene, having secured the privi- 
lege of doing the railroad express bus- 
iness between Fitchburg and Bellows 
Falls through the friendly aid of Hon. 
T. M. Edwards, then president of the 
Cheshire road. Subsequently, the 
business went into the hands of the 
American Express company, which is 
today the largest and wealthiest cor- 
poration of the kind in the world. 



GLASS FACTORIES. 

Business Enterprises that Once Inter- 
ested Many Keene People. 
The manufacture of glass is one of 
the most interesting industries ever 
pursued by the people of this country, 
and, under certain conditions of tariff 
protection, one of the most profitable 
because of the constantly widening 
market for the products of the glass 
manufactories. Few people in New 
England, unless they have travelled 
considerably, have ever witnessed the 
operations of a gang of workmen in 
a glass factory, and at the present 
day this statement will apply to the 
people of almost every State in the 
Union. " No material invented by 
man is to be compared with glass in 
the service it has rendered," says a 
writer upon the subject of glass-mak- 
ing, and surely there can be no limit 
to the demands for an article which 
is susceptible of being put to such a 



variety of uses. The first glass fac- 
tory in the United States of which we 
have a precise account was estab- 
lished in the town of Temple, N. H., 
in 1780, but it was in operation only 
a few months, being destroyed by fire 
the following winter. In this factory 
only bottles and ordinary ware were 
made. The first window glass manu- 
factured in this country was made in 
Boston in 1793. It was of excellent 
quality and became quite celebrated, 
but the enterprise finally failed 
through mismanagement. 

But it is not my purpose to give a 
history of glass making, nor will I at- 
tempt a description of the process 
pursued in the factories which turn 
out this valuable and essential prod- 
uct. A brief mention, however, of the 
glass manufacturing enterprises that 
once existed in Keene may be of in- 
terest to some readers of the Sentinel, 
especially those who remember the 
days when works of this kind were in 
operation here. 

In 1840, and probably for twenty 
years prior and subsequent to that 
date, a huge wooden building stood on 
a piece of ground a few rods west of 
the present county jail on Washington 
street. It was surrounded by smaller 
buildings, sheds, stables and immense 
piles of hemlock wood disposed in 
such a way as to form avenues 
through the grounds, giving the lo- 
cality the appearance of a miniature 
village. The buildings were black- 
ened by the clouds of smoke which is- 
sued from a wide opening in the roof 
of the main building, day and night, 
for about five days of each week dur- 
ing the winter season, reminding one 
of the eruptions of Vesuvius and re- 
quiring little stretch of the imagina- 
tion to make the huge structure seem 
like a real volcano. The interior pre- 
sented a still more weird spectacle, 



32 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



for here the mysterious process of 
glass making was in constant opera- 
tion in its various stages, outside in- 
terest in which centered upon that 
portion of the work performed by the 
" blowers," a class of workmen expert 
in manipulating the molten, lava-like 
mixture contained in the big caul- 
drons and by means of the blow-pipe 
forming it into hollov/ cylinders for 
other workmen to finally convert into 
merchantable window glass. A mate- 
rial diminution of the volume of 
smoke issuing from the building's 
" crater " was always a signal to the 
young people that the melting process 
was completed and that " blowing " 
was about to begin. At such times 
the factory would be crowded, far into 
the night, with spectators who never 
tired of watching the workmen who 
m^anipulated the blow-pipes. Trou- 
sers, slippers and a tight-fitting wool- 
en shirt, comprised a glass-blower's 
dress when at work, the tremendous 
heat from the glowing melting-pots 
being almost unbearable. Ten or 
twelve of these workmen stationed 
along either side of the big furnace 
made a picturesque scene as they al- 
ternately dipped their blow-pipes into 
the liquid fire and swung the glowing 
mass that adhered around and above 
their heads, while boys with water 
pails and dippers continually passed 
to and fro to relieve the burning thirst 
vvhich the heat engendered among 
those so directly exposed to it. With 
the mouths of the melting-pots open, 
the whole interior of the building was 
lighted up with a glov;- that gave the 
appearance of a conflagration, making 
a startling impression on one not ac- 
customed to the scene. 

The blowers were, generally, for- 
eigners who learned the art of glass- 
making in the old country. They com- 
manded large wages for those times 



and it was said of them that they made 
more money than the proprietors of 
the works realized from their invest- 
ments. Among the first-class work- 
men in this establishment were some 
who made Keene their permanent 
home. John Clinesmith, Charles 
Hirsch, Nicholas Hilt, Henry Lange, 
Augustus Smith, and a few others 
whose names are not now recalled, 
were of this number, but no one of 
those named is now living. Of the 
others employed about the establish- 
ment we remember John A. Drummer 
and Charles Lovejoy, who acted as 
firemen, or " stokers " as they were 
called; Henry Gregory and his two 
sons, William and Frank, who worked 
in the cutting department; also Ed- 
ward Holman, William Howard and 
Stephen Sibley, all of whom seemed 
to be permanent fixtures of the estab- 
lishment, serving in some capacity or 
other up to the time the works were 
closed. 

The business gave employment to a 
large number of people besides those 
directly engaged in the various de- 
partments of the manufactory. 
Teamsters and wood-choppers were 
busy a greater part of the year in pro- 
viding fuel for the furnaces, while 
others gathered sand and hard wood 
ashes for use in preparing the glass 
mixture. For many years it was a 
profitable enterprise and a great bene- 
fit to the town. The proprietors' 
names are not recalled in full, but at 
different times the business was con- 
ducted by Adams, Holman & Button, 
Aaron Appleton, John Elliot, Oliver 
Holman, B. F. Adams, J. D. Colony, 
and probably several others whose 
financial interests were identified with 
those of the gentlemen named. 

A Bottle Factory. 
Another branch of this business was 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



33 



established on Marlboro street, near 
the old Catholic church, more than 
fifty years ago, by Perry, Wheeler & 
Co. This was for the manufacture of 
bottles, large numbers of which were 
produced annually for a few years, or 
until their manufacture became un- 
profitable, probably by reason of for- 
eign competition. The attractions at 
this establishment were not equal to 
those at the window glass factory, yet 
it was resorted to very frequently by 
all the boys and girls in the village, 
so fascinating were the mysterious 
operations attending the business of 
glass-blowing. Here, too, was a cash 
market for hard wood ashes which 
many a boy highly appreciated, as it 
often afforded him means for procur- 
ing a pair of skates or a ticket to the 
circus when all other resources failed. 
A newspaper article regarding 
American glass factories was recently 
noted in which the surprising state- 
ment was made that " but four of 
these large establishments are today 
in operation in the United States," 
which, if correct, leads one to wonder 
why an industry of so much import- 
ance and of such vast consequences to 
the working people of the country is 
not adequately protected by our tariff 
laws. 



QUAINT CHARACTERS 

Whose Home Was in Keene a Half 
Century Ago. 

Among the writer's early recollec- 
tions of Keene are some concerning 
events in which at least a few readers 
of the Sentinel will feel an interest 
when their attention is called to them 
by one whose citizenship has been 
contemporaneous with that of their 
own for a period of fifty years or 
more. Doubtless all who are thus re- 
ferred to have a distinct remembrance 



of what is here related, and if the 
writer's memory is at fault they or 
any one of them can feel at liberty to 
correct his errors. 

Fifty years ago Keene numbered 
among her inhabitants several people 
whose habits and eccentricities made 
them conspicuous objects in the com- 
munity. Although somewhat degrad- 
ed by nature and habits, they were 
familiarly known to nearly every citi- 
zen, and especially to the young peo- 
ple who regarded them as legitimate 
sources of endless amusement and 
fun. 

Anna Banks. 

Prominent among these characters 
was an old woman named Anna 
Banks, who lived in a hut on the old 
Gilsum road, a hundred rods or so 
above the glass factory that stood on 
the present jail lot. She was a mis- 
shapen, wrinkled old crone and ob- 
tained a living by telling the fortunes 
of the young people who flocked to 
her weird domicil in great numbers. 
Her appearance on the street attract- 
ed attention, as she was a veritable 
" Meg Merilies " in style of figure and 
dress, as well as vocation. Her pa- 
trons included nearly every young per- 
son in town, many of whom visited 
her often for the sake of a lark. Usu- 
ally, the old woman was good-natured 
and permitted all manner of fun in 
her presence, but at times she resent- 
ed undue hilarity, especially when her 
gin bottle was empty, and then it was 
somewhat dangerous to offend her. 

The roof of Old Anna's hut extended 
almost to the ground, so that it was 
an easy matter for one to climb up to 
the huge chimney, where a view of a 
considerable portion of the interior 
could be obtained. A kettle of boil- 
ing water usually hung upon a crane 



34 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



in the fireplace, and the boys (and 
girls as well) thought it nice fun to 
quietly ascend the roof on a dark even- 
ing and drop sticks and stones into 
the big kettle below. On one occasion 
when a party was indulging in this 
kind of sport. Old Anna seized a large 
dipper and filling it with boiling water 
rushed out and liberally besprinkled 
two or three of the mischievous party 
who were unable to reach the ground 
in time to escape her vengeance. 

" Old Anna " died some forty years 
ago, yet there are many people still 
living in Keene who have a vivid and 
pleasant recollection of the merry 
times they enjoyed in the home of 
this eccentric old woman, and who 
will never forget the impressive man- 
ner in which she was wont to assure 
every girl patron that her future hus- 
band would be a " dark-complexioned 
man with lots of mcnej%" and that 
she was to have " a new pair of shoes 
in a few days." 

Richard and Lucinda Suglin. 

A few rods north of Old Anna's hut 
lived a negro family named Suglin, 
the conspicuous members of which 
were the father, Richard, and the old- 
est daughter, Lucinda. Richard was 
an athlete and enjoyed a fight as much 
as he did a nice dinner of chicken or 
lamb, of which delicacies he was ex- 
ceedingly fond. He always attended 
the musters and trainings of the militia 
of those days and was sure to be in a 
fight with some one very soon after 
arriving on the field. It was rare in- 
deed that he got the worst of such a 
contest, for he was quick and power- 
ful and seemed to be totally oblivions 
to the dreadful blows which were 
sometimes rained upon his woolly 
head and ebony face. Ordinarily, 
Richard was peaceable and good-na- 



tured, fighting being indulged in pure- 
ly for recreation and generally with- 
out provocation. 

Lucinda, the daughter, inherited 
some of her father's peculiarities, 
especially his fighting propensity and 
love of frolic. She could sing and 
dance quite attractively, and did not 
hesitate to spar with any young man 
who dared to stand up before her. 
The " accomplishments " which char- 
acterized Richard and his daughter, 
however, were not appreciated by his 
neighbors, all of whom seemed to re- 
joice when the family emigrated to 
another state. Since their departure 
the raising of lambs and poultry in the 
vicinity of their old home has been 
attended with less loss than it was in 
the days when Richard used to attrib- 
ute the disappearance of this kind of 
property to the depredations of hawks 
and foxes. 

Justus Tozer. 

H Another conspicuous figure on our 
i|streets was that of Justus Tozer, a 
'ilittle old man who was famous for his 
ready wit and ability to construct 
rhymes on any subject suggested to 
him. Although he lived to a good old 
age, it is probable that at his decease 
he had not drav/n a sober breath for 
forty years. He was a harmless, good- 
natured old man, and a great favorite 
with the young people who gathered 
about him whenever he appeared on 
the street and eagerly listened to his 
quaint rhymes and witty remarks. 
When importuned for a rhyme, it 
came on the instant and without hesi- 
tation. Thus on one occasion when 
a bright-eyed little girl asked a favor 
of this kind he at once replied, 

"Miss Catnra, 

Yon look like fury." 

Noticing that he had offended the lit- 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



35 



tie miss by reflecting upon her person- 
al appearance he immediately added, 

"lUit your eyes are as bright, 
As the stars of night." 

This mollified the injured feelings of 
his little friend and ever after he was 
sure of at least a penny whenever 
they met on the street. One day when 
asked to make a rhyme, with himself 
for a subject, he immediately ren- 
dered the following: 

" Justus Tozer is a poser. 

He's a druuken ;-kunIv; 
It talces a gill to wet his bill 

Aud a pint to get him drunk." 

Tozer had no home of his own and 
in the summer season his sleeping 
place was usually in some barn or 
deserted house. Even a dry goods 
box in front of some store would often 
afford him all the sleeping accom- 
modations he wanted. In winter he 
would find lodgment with some hu- 
mane family, paying his way by saw- 
ing wood and doing chores about the 
house and barn. He was kindly cared 
for in the brief illness which ended 
with his life and many expressions of 
regret were heard when it was an- 
nounced that he was dead. 

"Sol." Sumner. 

Of the same unfortunate class with 
Justus Tozer was a ragged, filthy and 
extremely repulsive old man named 
" Sol." Sumner, who prowled about 
the town in search of means whereby 
he could satisfy his appetite for rum 
and tobacco. He had none of the re- 
deeming qualities that made Tozer's 
presence endurable, but otherwise the 
two men were similar in habits and 
mode of life. They were not very 
friendly, however, as might be in- 
ferred from Tozer's frequent remark 
that he " considered it a disgrace to 
speak to such a man as Old Sol." 



Many of our citizens can recall the 
features and general appearance of 
Sumner, as he was for many years a 
conspicuous and most disgusting ob- 
ject in the community. He disap- 
peared more than a generation ago, 
and the general public was satisfied 
to believe that death had ended his 
miserable career. 

Several other noted individuals re- 
sided in Keene contemporaneously 
with those here referred to, but they 
were of an entirely different class of 
citizens and a brief notice of their pe- 
culiarities and amiable traits may at 
some time appear in these columns. 



THE OLD MILITIA. 

" Keene Light," " West Light," and 

Ash Swamp Rifles. 

Many people in various parts of 
Cheshire county have a vivid remem- 
brance of some of the military or- 
ganizations existing in this section of 
the state in the early years of the 
present century, and no doubt the pub- 
lication of a full history of each com- 
pany would be exceedingly interesting 
to almost every citizen, old and 
young; but such a history cannot be 
embodied in a newspaper article, 
where space is limited. A mere 
sketch of two or three of the promi- 
nent military organizations of olden 
times is all that can be given here, 
and even this must encroach upon 
columns usually devoted to current 
history and a record of passing local 
events. 

Military organizations were insti- 
tuted very early in the history of our 
country and even before the Revolu- 
tionary war. The British nation was 
so opposed to American independence 
that at the close of the seven years' 
struggle our people felt the necessity 



36 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



of being prepared for a renewal of the 
attack at any time. The war of 1812 
strengthened this feeling and children 
grew up with a military spirit and a 
readiness to defend their rights. All 
of the original states enacted laws re- 
quiring able-bodied men between the 
ages of eighteen and forty-five years 
to be equipped and ready for service. 
New Hampshire was not behind her 
sister states in this matter. As early 
as 1813 there was a movement which 
culminated in a complete military or- 
ganization throughout the state, the 
troops belonging to Keene, Walpole, 
Westmoreland, Surry, Gilsum and Sul- 
livan forming the Twentieth Regi- 
ment. Many of the commissioned 
officers of the regular militia knew 
nothing of military tactics and often- 
times the marches and manoeuvres of 
their commands were ludicrous in the 
extreme. The companies were sub- 
divided into sections at random, no at- 
tention being paid to the height of the 
soldier, so that it was not unusual to 
see a stalwart six-footer sandwiched 
between two short men who looked 
like little boys in comparison with 
their giant comrade-in-arms. Each 
company had a band of musicians, 
usually consisting of fifers and drum- 
mers, while occasionally a bugle play- 
er was added to the corps, making a 
very attractive feature of the display. 
The " independent " companies, as 
they were called, were uniformed and 
generally well drilled, and it is of 
some of these organizations that the 
writer proposes to speak in this arti- 
cle. 

Keene Light Infantry. 
From various sources, but mainly 
from the records in the Adjutant Gen- 
eral's office in Concord, it is learned 
that an independent military organiza- 
tion was formed in Keene as early as 
1813. The company took the name of 



Keene Light Infantry, and its first 
commander was Isaac Parker, who 
was commissioned June 7th of the 
above named year. A full list of the 
officers of this company during its ex- 
istence would gladly be given here did 
space allow, but the names of the cap- 
tains with dates of their commissions 
must be the limit of details in this 
direction. The commanders succeed- 
ing Capt. Parker were commissioned 
as follows: Noah Smith, June 4, 1816; 
Nathaniel Sprague, Dec. 18, 1816; 
Jesse Corbett, May 13, 1817; Joel 
Parker, Nov. 13, 1819; James Wilson, 
Jr., Jan. 9, 1821; Nathan Bassett, July 
15, 1823; George Brown, Jan. 25, 1825; 
Daniel Towns, Jr., Sept. 10, 1827; Wil- 
liam Dinsmoor, March 6, 1829; Joshua 
Wyman, Sept. 21, 1829; James Wilson, 
Jr., May 31, 1830; Robert Wilson, Aug. 
22, 1833; Sumner Carpenter, Aug. 7, 
1835; Walter Taylor, Jr., June 21, 
1838; George D. Dort, June 5, 1839; 
Daniel Read, Aug. 8, 1842; William 
Swan, April 24, 1843; Charles Batch- 
ellor, May 4, 1844; Frank S. Fiske, 
Aug. 22, 1846; Samuel A. Gerould, Jr., 
May 5, 1847; Robert Wilson, Aug. 23, 
1848; Dauphin W. Buckminster, Aug. 
30, 1849; Eben G. Ball, June 18, 1851. 
Of these officers four are still living, 
viz: Walter Taylor of Bellows Falls, 
Geo. D. Dort of Keene, Frank S. Fiske 
of Boston, and Samuel A. Gerould of 
Keene. The company was from first 
to last a very popular institution and 
always stood high in the estimation of 
military gentlemen throughout the 
state. Its commanders and subordi- 
nate officers were selected from 
among the most popular men in town, 
while the ranks were filled with young 
men from stores, shops and farms 
who took great pride in the organiza- 
tion. Two of its commanders — the 
Wilsons — had a powerful influence 
over the men in the ranks, and to 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



37 



their energy, great popularity and in- 
fluence was due much of the credit 
awarded the company for its fine ap- 
pearance. The same may be truly 
said of the other commanders, al- 
though the degree of influence exer- 
cised by them was less marked. 

This company soon after its forma- 
tion had a formidable rival in the 
neighboring town of Westmoreland, 
where a splendid military organiza- 
tion was maintained many years. 
Each claimed to be the superior of the 
other, while in fact there was little 
difference between them. Their uni- 
forms were handsome, substantial and 
similar in style. Certain it was, 
"Keene Light" and "West Light" 
were the bright particular stars of 
every muster season as long as their 
organizations lasted. The Keene com- 
pany took special pride in the posses- 
sion of a number of handsome tents 
which were captured from the British 
in the war of 1812. These tents are 
still in existence, being owned by 
some of our citizens who paid fabu- 
lous prices for them when the com- 
pany's effects were finally disposed of. 
Many interesting episodes growing 
out of the rivalry between these two 
" crack " companies might be related 
in this connection, but time and space 
forbid. 

Westmoreland Light Infantry. 

A transcript from the records in the 
adjutant general's oflice shows that 
an independent company was formed 
in the town of Westmoreland very 
soon after the close of the last war 
with England, under the name of 
" Westmoreland Light Infantry." The 
first captain of this company was Wil- 
liam Pierce, who was commissioned 
March 22, 1815, serving three years 
as appears from the record. The sub- 
sequent commanders were commis- 



sioned as follows : Linus Aldrich, May 
28, 1818; Larkin Baker, April 3, 1820; 
Harry Green, Aug. 7, 1822; Levi 
Green, March 12, 1825; Daniel Farr, 
April 19, 1826; Charles F. Brooks, 
Jan. 15, 1827; Joseph Wood, March 26, 
1828; Charles F. Brooks, Aug. 22, 
1828; William Brooks, Sept. 23, 1828; 
Tileston A. Barker, Sept. 21, 1829; 
Prentiss Daggett, Sept. 5, 1831; 
Charles Butterfield, March 4, 1835; 
Robert Britton, Sept. 2, 1836; Levi 
Barker, April 6, 1838; Tileston A. 
Barker, July 13, 1839; Artemas 
Knight, 2d, April 23, 1844; Daniel W. 
Patten, March 25, 1845; Holland Ben- 
nett, July 9, 1846; Tileston A. Barker, 
Sept. 7, 1847. The last named Cap- 
tain appears to have served from 1847 
until the disbandment of the company, 
or about ten years in all. This com- 
pany was one of the best military or- 
ganizations in the state and its excel- 
lent reputation was maintained up to 
the time of its disbandment, or for a 
period of about thirty-five years. Its 
ranks were ever overflowing with the 
very best material for the making of 
soldiers — stalwart young farmers 
whose patriotism and love of military 
display knew no bounds. It was 
also highly favored by having the sup- 
port of the leading business men of 
the town and especially such ener- 
getic and enthusiastic citizens as 
Tileston A. and Levi Barker, who 
seemed to be imbued with true mili- 
tary genius and to whose efficient ser- 
vices the great prosperity of the or- 
ganization was mainly due, especially 
during the last few years of its exist- 
ence. The Barkers stood in the same 
relation to " West Light " as did the 
Wilsons to " Keene Light." Both 
were very popular locally, widely rec- 
ognized as authority in military mat- 
ters, and each rose to the rank of 
colonel. The elder of these two broth- 



38 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



ers, Tileston A. Barker, was one of 
the most efficient drill-masters in the 
state and his services in that capacity 
were in great demand as the training 
and muster seasons aproached. His 
subsequent career in the late war is 
too well remembered to need mention 
here. Suffice it to say, he made an 
honorable record and endeared him- 
self to every Union soldier who came 
in contact with him. His brother, 
Col. Levi Barker, is still living, en- 
joying a serene and happy old age at 
his home in Worcester, Mass., where 
he interests himself in military mat- 
ters, being an honorary member of 
one of the fine companies existing in 
that city. His record of sixty-two 
years' continuous connection with mil- 
itary organizations probably has no 
equal in this state. Only one other ot 
the old commanders of " West Light," 
Col. D. W. Patten, is living today; the 
others are now mustered on "the 
other shore." 

Ash Swamp Rifles. 

Early in the year of 1842 a military 
company consisting of about forty 
men was formed in the west part of 
Keene, then known as Ash Swamp. 
This was a company of riflemen, an 
organization which was well main- 
tained up to the time of the disband- 
ment of the state militia by legislative 
enactment. Col. Levi Barker was 
then in command of the regiment and 
encouraged and aided the new com- 
pany through his personal efforts in 
procuring the necessary armament 
from the state. The company was 
successively commanded by Benjamin 
Curler, Sewall Curler, Asa S. White, 
Wm. K. Goodnow, Charles W. Wyman, 
Royal Britton and Alexander H. 
Grimes. The lieutenants, in the order 
of their appointment, were Sewall 
Gurler, Asa S. White, Nelson N. Saw- 



yer, Joseph G. Perry, Charles Nash, 
Jr., and Thomas Grimes. Ensigns, 
Asa S. White, Asa C. Thayer, Andrew 
H. Towne, Wm. K. Goodnow, Charles 
W. Wyman, Charles Nash, Jr., Alex- 
ander H. Grimes, Alfred S. Blake. 

This company was composed of ex- 
cellent material and made a good ap- 
pearance on parade, although the 
green frock uniform and low hat or 
cap gave the men a diminutive look 
when contrasted with the light infan- 
try soldiers in their dress suits sur- 
mounted by tall hats bearing fountain 
plumes. Had the militia laws re- 
mained unchanged, this company 
would have attained high rank as a 
military organization as it was com- 
posed of the very best material, al- 
most every individual member being 
a substantial farmer or farmer's son. 
Two at least of its old commanders, 
Captain Wyman and Captain Grimes, 
still live in Keene, engaged- in active 
business pursuits and enjoying the 
esteem of their fellow citizens. 

An Artillery Company. 

One other Keene company deserves 
notice in this connection. It was an 
artillery company organized in 1842 
and composed of boys from twelve to 
sixteen years of age. Its officers were 
John L. W. Tyler, captain; William 
Marsh, Frank Holmes and George H. 
Davis, subordinate officers. The or- 
ganization did not continue long, but 
during its existence it was a very pop- 
ular institution, liberally encouraged 
by the older citizens. Captain Tyler 
was endowed with true military gen- 
ius and his command received many 
high compliments from distinguished 
military gentlemen. The company 
mustered with the Twentieth Regi- 
ment in the autumn of 1842. It was 
well uniformed and equipped with 
wooden swords and a real cannon. It 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



39 



made such a fine appearance that the 
colonel gave it the right of the line on 
the muster field, while the reviewing 
officer bestowed upon it flattering 
words of commendation in his address 
to the regiment. 

At least two of the officers of this 
company — Captain Tyler and Lieuten- 
ant Davis — are still living. The for- 
mer occupies a lucrative position as 
professor of penmanship in a western 
institution of learning, while the lat- 
ter continues at his life-long employ- 
ment as compositor in the office of 
one of the Boston daily papers. 

Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels of 
the Twentieth Regiment. 

It is impracticable to give a full 
list of the Twentieth Regiment field 
officers, but the names of the colonels 
and lieutenant colonels are still so fa- 
miliar to the people of Cheshire 
county that their publication here 
seems to be demanded. 

The first man commissioned as col- 
onel (as appears from the records) 
was William M. Bond, his appoint- 
ment being dated July 4, 1816. His 
successors were commissioned as fol- 
lows: Isaac Field, May 16, 1817; 
Simeon Cobb, 2d, June 23, 1819 (sub- 
sequently promoted to be a brigadier 
general); Justus Perry, July 5, 1822 
(promoted to a generalship) ; James 
Wilson, Jr., June 30, 1826; Benjamin 
F. Adams, July 15, 1829; Samuel Gor- 
don, June 24, 1831; Tileston A. Barker, 
June 25, 1833 (declined); James Wil- 
son, .Jr., Aug. 5, 1833 (promoted to a 
generalship) ; Charles Butterfield, 
June 27, 1835; Robert Wilson, Sept. 4, 
1837; Levi Barker, June 27, 1S39; John 
Cowdery, June 20, 1844; George Hager, 
June 30, 1845; Virgil A. Kimball, July 
6, 1846; Daniel W. Patten, July 3, 1847; 
Daniel W. Bill, June 24, 1848 (promot- 
ed to a generalship.) 



Lieutenant colonels were commis- 
sioned in the following order: Wil- 
liam M. Bond, June 23, 1815; Isaac 
Field, Dec. 9, 1816; Justus Perry, June 
23, 1819; Seth Hall, Jr., July 5, 1822; 
Thomas F. Ames, June 16, 1823; James 
Wilson, Jr., May 17, 1824; Jehiel Day, 
June 30, 1826; Benjamin F. Adams, 
June 18, 1828; David Buffum, July 1, 
1829; Samuel Towns, June 24, 1831; 
Bradley Leach, Oct. 4, 1831; James 
Wilson, Jr., June 25, 1833; Eliphalet 
R. Webster, Aug. 5, 1833; Charles 
Butterfield, June 27, 1835; Robert Wil- 
son, June 27, 1835; Nehemiah Hart, 
Sept. 4, 1837; Levi Barker, June 27, 
1839; William Wellington, Jan. 17, 
1842; George D. Dort, July 18, 1842; 
John Cowdery, July 1, 1843; George 
Hager, June 20, 1844; Abel Starkey, 
June 30, 1835; Daniel W. Patten, July 
6, 1846; Daniel W. Bill, July 8, 1847; 
Joseph W. Briggs, June 24, 1848; Dan- 
iel Smith, Dec. 27, 1848; Francis 
Brown, Nov. 1, 1850. 

Going to Muster. 

The time for " going to muster " 
was generally regarded as a season 
for unrestrained hilarity and depreda- 
tion upon the orchards and melon 
patches along the route to military 
headquarters. All through the night 
preceding muster day the highways 
leading from the neighboring towns 
were alive with men and boys who 
were untiring in their efforts to keep 
up a continual din resembling that 
attending the advent of the 4th of 
July in these modern times. Follow- 
ing in the wake of the musters were 
pedlars, sleight-of-hand performers, 
gamblers and rum sellers. Fighting 
among the crowd of roughs always as- 
sembled on such occasions was a 
common occurrence, sometimes requir- 
ing the interference of the troops in 
order that quiet might be restored. 



40 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



Every year these riotous demonstra- 
tions increased until at last they be- 
came almost unbearable; and by this 
reason more than any other, muster 
days came into disrepute and a repeal 
or radical revision of the militia laws 
was demanded and secured. And so 
the glory of the old-time musters de- 
parted. 



THE BASHAW OF BEECH HILL. 

A Noted Character Well Remembered 

by Many Citizens. 

Mr. Editor: — One of your corres- 
pondents, who has kindly criticised 
some of my descriptions of old time 
characters, expresses the hope that I 
continue to give sketches of some of 
the noted people residing in Keene 
fifty years ago. As nearly every one 
of the famous characters of those days 
has living descendants residing in the 
community, it is a delicate matter to 
describe their peculiarities, through 
fear of giving offense where naught 
but respectful compliment is intended. 
One name, however, which "W." sug- 
gests as a proper subject for consid- 
eration and comment is so generally 
remembered and pleasurably associ- 
ated with the history of the town that 
the risk of offending surviving rela- 
tives by thus publicly alluding to it is 
not too great to be assumed even by 
the most timid of writers. 

John Lawrence. 

The person above referred to bore 
the respected name of John Lawrence, 
and his home was on Beech Hill, di- 
rectly east of and some two miles dis- 
tant from Central Square. He was a 
farmer by occupation and for a long 
series of years was engaged in stock- 
raising and agriculture in a most de- 
lightful section of the town, elevated 
several hundred feet above the village 



which nestled in the valley below. By 
nature he was endowed with a bril- 
liant intellect and commanding pres- 
ence, and had he been privileged in 
early life to enjoy the educational ad- 
vantages now so easily obtainable by 
all classes, he might have made a nota- 
ble record in some one of the profes- 
sions and attained a leading position 
in the community. As it was, he had 
considerable influence over his neigh- 
bors, while many people in the village 
looked upon him as a man of more 
than common ability and one whose 
honesty and integrity none could ques- 
tion. He was a great reader, well in- 
formed concerning the political events 
of the times, and able to express his 
views on general subjects in a clear 
and forcible manner. 

Often, indeed almost always, when 
visiting the village Mr. Lawrence 
would become involved in an argu- 
ment with some political opponent 
who, like himself, was wont to vigor- 
ously defend the principles of the 
party to which he belonged. These 
street discussions always attracted a 
crowd, as it was well understood that 
"Uncle John," as Mr. Lawrence was 
familiarly called, would succeed in 
turning the laugh upon his opponent 
however badly he might be worsted in 
the argument. His quaint remarks 
and apt quotations were delivered 
very impressively and with a manly 
dignity that made them very effective. 
As illustrations of this it may be 
proper to quote his expressions on a 
few occasions. At the time the Whig 
party celebrated its great victory in 
1840, Mr. Lawrence had charge of one 
of the guns and was very enthusiastic 
over the work in hand. Becoming 
considerably excited, he finally trained 
his gun upon the signboard of Ben- 
aiah Cooke, then editor of the Chesh- 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



41 



ire Republican, and discharged the 
piece at short range, first filling its 
muzzle with some very soft material 
scraped up on the street. The result 
may be easily imagined. The sign- 
board and its surroundings looked like 
a section of a farmer's barnyard, while 
the walk in front of the building was 
strewn with broken glass. Being re- 
monstrated with for such recklessness 
Mr. Lawrence exclaimed, "I want Be- 
naiah Cooke and every other Van 
Buren Democrat in Keene to know 
that there is a God in Israel!" At one 
time the project of building a new 
road over Beech Hill created consider- 
able feeling and became the main is- 
sue in the choice of selectmen at one 
of our town meetings. At the Whig 
caucus for the nomination of candi- 
dates Mr. Lawrence was accosted by 
a friend as he entered the hall with 
the inquiry, "Who are your candidates 
for selectmen. Uncle John?" In his 
inimitable and earnest manner, and in 
a tone of voice that could be heard by 
every one present, he instantly replied, 
"Any three good Whigs who fear God 
and are in favor of Beech Hill road!" 
It is hardly necessary to say that the 
road referred to was built by the 
selectmen nominated in that caucus. 
When the Manchester & Keene rail- 
road was laid out the line ran through 
a portion of Mr. Lawrence's farm that 
was covered with sapling pines. The 
damages awarded him for the land 
taken proved unsatisfactory and the 
matter came before the oflicials for ad- 
justment. The counsel for the road 
represented that the land was of little 
value, producing nothing but a thin 
growth of white pine, blackberry 
bushes and useless shrubbery. Mr. 
Lawrence, in reply to this, said, "Gen- 
tlemen, those sapling pines, which you 
have been told are of little value, are 



a source of revenue to me. When I 
need money I cut off a few of them 
and draw them to the mill, where they 
bring the cash — just as you rich na- 
bobs cut railroad bond coupons and 
get them cashed at the bank. Those 
pine trees are my 'coupons,' gentle- 
men." His claim lor an increase of 
damages was allowed. 

Mr. Lawrence was something of a 
poet and sometimes advertised his 
breeding stock in verse which em- 
bodied many droll expressions. He 
playfully assumed the title of 
"Bashaw of Beech Hill" and appended 
the same to his signature whenever 
an advertisement of this kind was is- 
sued. The title fitted nicely and it 
was recognized by the people of 
Keene to the end of his days. 

Mr. Lawrence was hospitable and 
entertaining in his home and his visi- 
tors were greeted with a cordiality 
that left no suspicion of its genuine- 
ness. His natural good humor never 
deserted him, even in the excitement 
of a wordy controversy. In many re- 
spects he was a remarkable man and 
those who knew him will readily ad- 
mit that they never expect to "look 
upon his like again." 



KEENE'S NATAL DAY. 

Reminiscences of the Centennial Cele- 
bration of 1853. 
On the 26th of May, 1903, one hun- 
dred and fifty years will have elapsed 
since the settlement of the town of 
Keene and the organization of its 
town government. Local public inter- 
est in the celebration of a town's birth- 
day is always strong and every citizen 
takes pride in the event. This fact 
was amply proved in 1853, when the 
citizens of Keene very generally par- 
ticipated in the celebration of the one 



42 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 



hundredth anniversary of the settle- 
ment of the town. Professional and 
business men took part in that event, 
making it a glorious success and in- 
suring for themselves the gratitude of 
their posterity. 

Very few living people have a dis- 
tinct remembrance of that event and 
a great majority of those who took 
part in it have passed away. Of the 
committees who arranged for the cele- 
bration and of the citizens who offici- 
ated in the proceedings only four 
names are today found among those 
of living men. The surviving quartet 
is composed of Col. Frank S. Fiske, 
George A. Wheelock, Rev. W. O. 
White and George K. Wright. The 
committees comprised the names of 
prominent citizens and were as fol- 
lows: 

On Invitations. — Samuel Dinsmoor, 
Thomas M. Edwards, Salma Hale, 
Levi Chamberlain, Charles G. 
Adams, Josiah Colony, John W. 
Prentiss, John Elliot, Charles Lam- 
son, Thomas F. Ames. 
On Reception. — Salma Hale, John 
Prentiss, John H. Fuller, George Til- 
den, Noah R. Cooke, William S. 
Briggs, James B. Elliot. 
On Place and Arrangements for Exer- 
cises. — F. A. Faulkner, Stewart 
Hastings, Adolphus Wright, Abel 
Blake, Samuel Wood, Enos Hol- 
brook, Luther Nurse, Samuel 
Towns, 2d. 
On Place and Arrangements for Colla- 
tion. — Benjamin F. Adams, Thomas 
Thompson, William Dinsmoor, 
James BufEum, George B. Twitchell, 
Daniel Watson, Kindall Crossfleld, 
Josiah Sawyer, George K. Wright, 
Charles Chase. 
To Prepare Sentiments. — John H. El- 



liot, Geo. G. Ingersoll, William P. 
Wheeler, Edward Farrar, Farnum F. 
Lane. 
On Music. — William Dinsmoor, Virgil 
M. Kimball, Joseph W. Briggs, Al- 
bert Godfrey, Harvey A. Bill, Wil- 
liam S. Hutchins. 
On Finance. — Sumner Wheeler, John 
Elliot, Joshua D. Colony, Thomas H. 
Leverett, Charles S. Faulkner. 
The officers were selected from 
among leading citizens whose names 
are still familiar in every Keene 
household and whose influence in this 
community was unbounded. The list 
is as follows: 

President. — Thomas M. Edwards. 
Vice Presidents. — John Prentiss, Sam- 
uel Dinsmoor, Salma Hale, Charles 
G. Adams, John Elliot, John Wood, 
Josiah Colony, Elijah Parker, Tim- 
othy Hall, Calvin Chapman, Joseph 
Perry, Michael Metcalf, Abijah Wil- 
der, William Lamson, Eliphalet 
Briggs. 
Secretaries. — George A. Wheelock, 
Leonard Bisco, F. A. Faulkner, 
Lewis Campbell. 
Chaplains. — Rev. Z. S. Barstow, Rev. 
William O. White, Rev. Gilbert Rob- 
bins, Rev. Silas Quimby. 
Chief Marshal. — Levi Chamberlain. 
Aids.— Selden F. White, Frank S. 

Fiske. 
Marshals. — Benjamin F. Adams, Isaac 
Sturtevant, Virgil M. Kimball 
Joshua Wyman, Joseph W. Briggs 
Robert Wilson, James B. Elliot 
Francis H. Keyes, Samuel A. Ger 
ould, Jr., Eben G. Ball, D. W. Buck 
minster. 

The celebration was a success in 
every particular, and the thousands in 
attendance highly enjoyed the exer- 
cises and listened with pleasure to the 
stirring music of Gilmore's Brigade 
band of Boston, and the fine vocal mu- 



OF KEENE PEOPLE. 



43 



sic of a large choir of singers under 
the leadership of W. S. Hutchins. The 
proceedings closed with a band con- 
cert in the town hall, followed by fire- 
works on the common. It was a glo- 
rious day for Keene. 



VALEDICTORY 

On Retiring from Service as Editor of 
the New Hampsliire Sentinel. 

With this issue of the Sentinel its 
senior editor retires from the position 
he has held for more than twenty- 
eight years, and from active duties in 
an establishment with which he has 
been connected for just half a century. 
The determining cause for this step 
will be apparent to everyone who 
stops to consider the ravages which 
fifty years make upon the health and 
constitution of even the most superb 
human structure. A newspaper to be 
successful must have perpetually at 
its command the mental and physical 
abilities of young or middle-aged men 
endowed with health and talents 
which enable them to meet the re- 
quirements of the newspaper reading 
public. Realizing this fact, the duty 
of one who has occupied the position 
of editor for nearly a generation is 
so plain that he cannot hesitate a 
moment beyond a convenient time for 
relinquishing his charge. Such a 
time has now come to him, and he re- 
tires from duties too burdensome to be 
longer borne by one who has given 
his entire life, from early youth to ad- 
vanced age, to the interests of the one 
enterprise which has engrossed his 
attention for a period of fifty years. 

And what eventful years were those 
to which reference is here made! 
Their history embraces a record not 
only of the wonderful progress which 
the world has made in all that tends 
to the material interests of mankind, 



but also a record of the most thrilling 
events in the life of this great nation. 

To dwell upon the transformations 
which these fifty years have wrought 
would consume too much time and 
space; nor, indeed, is there occasion 
to notice them at length. History has 
been made with unprecedented rapid- 
ity during that period, and the world 
has progressed at a rate little short 
of the miraculous. But every stage 
of that history, every step taken in 
the world's progress has been record- 
ed in these columns, and to recapitu- 
late here would be to outline the con- 
tents of a half century's files of this 
paper. It has been a glorious thing 
to live and move and have one's being 
and to share to some extent as a fac- 
tor in the world's welfare at such a 
time, and in that consciousness we 
rest content without rehearsing the 
achievements of the past or boasting 
of anything personal save a record of 
continuous newspaper work rarely 
surpassed in activity and length of 
service. 

The prosperity which has ever at- 
tended this paper is of itself sufficient 
evidence that it has been conducted 
honorably and in the interests of an 
appreciative community. The politi- 
cal principles which were so ably ad- 
vocated by its eminent founder, whose 
memory is still fondly cherished in 
this community, have been faithfully 
maintained by each successive incum- 
bent of its editorial chair, and there 
can be no doubt that those who in 
turn will control the future policy of 
the paper will be in a great measure 
guided thereby. The most valuable 
assets of any newspaper are popular 
confidence in its honesty and popular 
faith in its accuracy. The gauge of 
that confidence and faith is circula- 
tion, and a large circulation, steadily 
growing, is a first class assurance that 



:^P T^9i 1905 



44 



REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES. 



a newspaper is meeting the popular 
demand for honest editorial advice 
and a faithful presentation of news. 
This assertion is especially applicable 
to the Sentinel, whose circulation is 
always increasing and whose general 
prosperity gives assurance that the 
public appreciates the efforts of its 
proprietors to make just such a paper 
as the best interests of this com- 
munity require. Permanently located 
in a home of its own, equipped with 
all the improved machinery and ma- 
terial essential to the filling of un- 
limited orders for printing, the Senti- 
nel establishment must be ranked 
among the best of its kind in the 
State. 

It is not without a sigh of regret 
that our active connection with the 
Sentinel ceases just as it is entering 
upon an era of prosperity and useful- 
ness never before experienced in its 
history. A relief from the burdens 
and responsibilities inseparably con- 
nected with the publication of a daily 
and weekly newspaper is gladly wel- 
comed; but with this sense of relief 
comes a natural feeling of regret at 
the severing of relations, existing in 
some cases through many years, with 
patrons, readers and correspondents — 
relations which, though they have in 



a large degree been necessarily some- 
what impersonal, have at the same 
time become intimate and pleasant. 
Especially to correspondents whose 
regular contributions have in a large 
measure aided in increasing the popu- 
larity and usefulness of the paper, the 
retiring editor wishes to make his 
sincere acknowledgments for their 
hearty cooperation in efforts to make 
the Sentinel a welcome visitor in every 
household in the county, and at the 
same time he bespeaks for his succes- 
sors a continuance of the favors which 
have become a prominent feature of 
the paper. 

With this announcement of a 
change in the editorial management 
of the Sentinel we 'are justified in 
making the prediction that the paper 
will be vastly improved in that de- 
partment. Young, vigorous and well- 
trained minds will control its immedi- 
ate future, and its infiuence and use- 
fulness must increase as the years 
roll on. We leave it in good hands 
and with joyful expectation that it is 
one of the institutions of this com- 
munity which will be perpetuated to 
the end of time. 

T. C. RAND. 

Keene, November 15, 1893. 



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